Question reference: S5W-29936
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 15 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 13 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) when, (b) how and (c) on which topics the Scottish Learner Panel has been consulted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of involving young people in decision making processes which affect their lives, including in decisions made regarding learning and education settings.
As such the Scottish Government has engaged with children and young people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to gather their views and ensure these are reflected in planning and decision making processes.
This includes supporting the Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot to deliver the ‘LockdownLowdown’ survey of 2,418 young people which concluded in April 2020 and supporting the Children’s Parliament to deliver their ‘How are you doing?’ survey of 3,968 children which concluded in May 2020.
I also held a panel discussion meeting with a group of 19 children and young people on 17 June 2020 to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on learning and educating settings. Topics discussed included learners experiences of learning at home, additional support schools, local authorities and government can provide to help overcome barriers to learning during COVID-19, learner concerns regarding a return to school in August, learner hopes for the new school term in August, the mental health and wellbeing of learners during COVID-19 and any positive impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on learning or learners.
The Scottish Government are also working with partners in the third sector to establish an ‘Education Recovery Panel’ of children and young people who will represent the views of learners in the education recovery process throughout the recovery period.