This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Spending per school pupil rises
02/12/2003
New figures show an increase of expenditure in schools including an extra £311 for every pupil in Scotland's secondary, primary and special schools.
Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson said that rising investment in Scotland's schools must be matched by continuing improvement.
The key findings of the 2001-02 statistics, published in Expenditure on School Education in Scotland 2003, include:
- Revenue expenditure in primary schools in 2001-02 was £2,700 per pupil - up £223
- Revenue expenditure in secondary schools in 2001-02 was £3,900 per pupil - up £340
Mr Robson said:
"My goal is for all schools to be excellent or improving - or both. I want all children to be given every chance to reach their full potential and that means ensuring their one chance at school education is fully supported.
"The significant extra investment that we have been ploughing into our staff and classrooms is making a difference. Pupils have more books and equipment and are taught in modern schools by growing numbers of well-motivated teachers and support staff.
"Our challenge now is to work together to make every penny count. We must ensure that, in partnership with local authorities, we recognise the need to take responsible decisions and spend wisely to get returns for our investment. The increased funding also enables local authorities to boost specialist support services shared between schools, manage the ongoing school building programme and ensure all schools are as good as they can be.
"Throughout the country, pupils, parents and teachers are now seeing the real results that this extra cash brings. This is what we must focus on as we continue our quest to drive up education standards across Scotland."