This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Study Support has "crucial role" to play
06/09/2002
Providing opportunities for pupils to learn outside the
classroom improves their academic performance and enhances
key skills, the Scottish Study Support Network annual
conference in Glasgow was told today.
Education Minister Cathy Jamieson said out-of-school
hours learning such as homework clubs, sport, outdoor
activities and arts can support course work and improve
literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
Funding of £10million is being made available to local
authorities for Study Support in both this financial year
and next.
Ms Jamieson said:
"Out of school hours learning initiatives have a crucial
role to play in providing pupils with the support to
maintain and boost academic performance. Research shows
that taking part in study support can improve academic
attainment and improve attitudes towards school and
attendance.
"Study support offers the chance to develop interests
and skills beyond the classroom and to learn new ones. It
is particularly beneficial to pupils whose lack of
confidence and self-esteem would otherwise restrict their
educational and social development far into the future.
"It also provides disadvantaged pupils with access to
study facilities and challenging activities which might not
otherwise be available to them, helping to close the
opportunity gap between those who succeed and those who
fall behind.
"I am delighted that more than 375,000 pupils
participated in a study support activity during the last
academic year. I hope that they will encourage friends to
join in this academic year.
"Out of hours learning is a vital component in our
education process and it is one which we must continue to
develop if we are to provide our children and young people
with the opportunities they need and deserve. The Scottish
Executive is addressing this initiatives and funding such
as newthrough New Community Schools, National Priorities
for education, The National Debate on Education and
measures to improve discipline in schools, out of school
care and sport. It has also been raised during the National
Debate on Education.
"Working closely with schools we can make a vital
difference to the opportunities available to all
pupils."
Study Support is now one of the strands of the Social
Justice programme under the National Priorities Action
Fund.
The Excellence Fund core programme provided every
Scottish Local authority with a share of £27 million during
three years from 1999/2000.
The Scottish Support Study Network aims to provide:
- support, advice and constancy to all state funded
projects
- regular newsletters to all state-funded
schools
- local and national seminars and conferences
promoting best practice and facilitating staff
development
- advice and information on training and
consultancy
- support to local networks