Pupils in deprived areas in the Scottish Borders are being let down by the SNP Government.
In the most deprived areas in the Scottish Borders only 25% of pupils went on to achieve five or more National 5 qualifications between 2014 and 2017.
However, research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that in deprived areas of East Dunbartonshire, for example, 60% of pupils went on to achieve five or more National 5 qualifications between 2014 and 2017.
In fact, the report found that every other deprived area in Scotland outperformed the Scottish Borders.
Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, will raise the issue with the Cabinet Secretary for Education next week in General Questions and ask why the Scottish Borders has been left behind.
Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire said: ‘The SNP Government has said that closing the attainment gap was their number one priority. But it seems that areas in the Scottish Borders that need support are not getting it whilst other areas in Scotland are.
‘This disparity is not good enough. The SNP’s performance on education is not good enough. Every child in Scotland deserves a fantastic education no matter where they are born. However, it seems that deprived areas in the Scottish Borders are being neglected.
‘I will demand answers from the Education Cabinet Secretary for why the Scottish Borders has been left behind and expect in response that pupils in deprived areas in the Scottish Borders will receive additional support.’