To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve discipline in schools. (S6O-04172)

We published a joint behaviour action plan with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities last August setting out action that is to be taken over the next three years at national and local level to support schools to improve relationships and behaviour. Since May 2023, we have responded to schools’ concerns in a number of different ways, including the publication of the national action plan, the publication of new guidance on gender-based violence, mobile phones and anti-bullying and the provision of additional funding to support the training of support staff.

The budget, if passed, will also offer a package of measures worth an additional £29 million for additional support needs, which will include support for the recruitment and retention of the additional support needs workforce.

I note that the cabinet secretary referred to the further £28 million for additional support needs teachers and £1 million to aid their retention and recruitment. Does she anticipate an improvement in classroom discipline, which will better enable ASN pupils, who might otherwise struggle, to access and engage with the curriculum?

The Government is absolutely determined to increase teacher numbers in Scotland’s schools, which is why we have reached the agreement that I alluded to in my response to Mr Smyth, which I think will make a real difference in our schools, particularly in relation to some post-Covid behaviour and relationship shifts. We know that a number of young people have struggled post-Covid with the return to formal education, which has impacted on behaviour and relationships in our classrooms. That is a problem not just in Scotland but across the United Kingdom and globally.

We also recognise that the growth in ASN presents additional challenges, and we remain committed to improving how children and young people get the support that they need with their learning. That is why we have committed that additional £29 million that I spoke to in my previous response, which is very much targeted on enhancing the ASN workforce.

Teachers and unions have warned ministers that many more incidents of violence take place in our classrooms than are reported, because teachers do not have the time to report those incidents. The minister references the action plan, which had two key points—the lack of options for how to manage the behaviour of a small core group of pupils and the lack of alternative options and resources for pupils for whom mainstream education may not be appropriate. What in the budget will help to address those two things?

I thank the member for his interest in the issue. He spoke about the time that teachers might take in reporting and recording incidents. I know from my experience that there is often a reticence among staff about reporting, because they are concerned about how their school might be perceived. We in the Government should reflect on that.

I was very clear in my update to Parliament in, I think, November 2023 that we wanted consistent and clear recording and reporting of incidents as and when they occur in our schools, because there is currently a level of reticence. The action plan sets out a range of different measures in that regard. The additional funding that I spoke to in my previous response for teacher numbers and for ASN specialists, including things such as behaviour, is fundamental to addressing the issues that Mr Briggs raises.

I am concerned about the level of violence and harassment against girls at school, but I am also concerned about the low take-up of the equally safe programme. Take-up was supposed to be up at around half of all schools by 2020, but it is at only a third of all schools. What is the cabinet secretary doing to improve the uptake of that programme so that we can tackle violence against girls?

The member raises an important point, which was reported in the national press over the recess. I share his concerns, and I have asked officials for further advice. The equally safe strategy works alongside the gender-based violence framework, which was launched last March. It is important that those complementary pieces of work act in tandem to tackle issues relating to misogyny. We know that there have been such issues, particularly post-pandemic. The Government’s research, which was published in late 2023, showed that there has been an increase in misogynistic behaviour, particularly from male pupils, which is often directed at their female teachers. It is hugely important that those issues are addressed. I have asked for further advice, and I would be more than happy to share some of that with Mr Rennie. It is important that all schools are aware of the different approaches that are at their disposal, either through the equally safe work or through the gender-based violence framework.