Cash boost for 'poorer' schools

The cash will be targeted at schools in deprived areas

Schools in deprived areas of Scotland are to benefit from a £20m cash injection to buy new books and equipment.

The extra funding for Scottish schools is to be targeted at those which need it most.

And Education Minister Jack McConnell has also called for schools to be given more say over how money is spent.

Jack McConnell announced the cash on Friday

The additional funding was announced at a major education conference in Edinburgh on Friday.

It comes on top of an announcement in August that the Scottish Executive would be giving schools an extra £10m for books and equipment.

Mr McConnell said every council in Scotland would benefit from the cash - but that it would be targeted at schools with the greatest need.

"On my visits to schools all over Scotland I have become very aware of large differences in the facilities and opportunities available to school children," he said.

"Many schools have first class learning materials, but others do not.

If we are serious about addressing the differences in educational opportunity and closing the attainment gap then we must target our efforts on those with the greatest need

Jack McConnell

"That is why today's extra funding, while making a significant difference in all schools, will make the greatest difference to those schools and those pupils who will benefit the most - those schools that are underachieving and those in areas of deprivation.

"I make no apology for skewing distribution in that way - if we are serious about addressing the differences in educational opportunity and closing the attainment gap then we must target our efforts on those with the greatest need."

He said he wanted to see schools with better sports, science and music equipment, as well as new books in libraries.

Mr McConnell also unveiled the findings of a report into devolved school management in Scotland.

School needs

Mr McConnell said headteachers should be able to spend funding in the best way for their school.

"Devolved school management empowers headteachers and offers them and the local authority the flexibility to manage budgets in a way which best fits the school's needs," he said.

"I expect all local authorities and their schools to take early action to make the necessary improvements to their devolved school management, to learn from best practice and to ensure that arrangements are made to secure ongoing improvements.

"I believe that DSM plays a part in closing the attainment gap and by next summer I expect it to be in place in every school in Scotland."