Record number of pupils in Scotland face additional needs crisis

In Scotland, a significant increase in the number of pupils with additional support needs has been reported, with current estimates showing that 284,448 pupils, representing 40.5 percent of the school population, are affected. This figure marked a substantial rise from the previous year when there were 259,036 pupils identified with such needs. The increase in diagnoses reflects a growing recognition and awareness of conditions such as autism, dyslexia, and mental health challenges within the educational system over the last decade. Alarmingly, the number of pupils diagnosed with additional support needs more than doubled since 2014, when there were only around 140,542 identified cases. Key stakeholders, including the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition, express concern over the lack of necessary resources to support these students adequately. The coalition highlighted that while the identification of additional support needs has increased, the corresponding support in terms of specialized educators and resources has not kept pace. This disparity creates a challenging environment not only for the affected students but also for teachers and support staff, who are under immense pressure to meet diverse educational needs. In particular, campaigners indicated that the challenging conditions post-COVID-19, combined with an ongoing cost of living crisis, have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable children and young people in Scotland. Amidst these problems, the union representing educational professionals, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), pointed out that the percentage of students with additional support needs has risen dramatically over the last 15 years, from approximately 6 percent to around 40 percent. Despite these alarming figures, there has been no corresponding increase in resources allocated to meet such escalating needs. Susan Quinn, the education convener for EIS, underscored the fact that a significant number of young people are not receiving sufficient help tailored to their support needs. The Scottish Government acknowledged the growth of pupils with additional support needs as a major challenge and reported that funding for additional support needs reached a record high of £926 million during the 2022-23 fiscal year. To address these challenges, the government proposed a budget that includes an additional £29 million package aiming to enhance recruitment and retention efforts for specialized support staff. However, decreasing numbers of special schools further exacerbate the strain on mainstream education, as many of those affected might benefit more from specialized educational environments. Stakeholders remain hopeful that adequate measures will be put in place to support vulnerable students effectively as they continue to navigate the complexities of their educational journeys.