Rural schools twice as likely to be in poor condition, Scottish Tories warn

The Scottish Tories have accused the Scottish Government of “failing rural Scotland” after new analysis found schools there are twice as likely to be in “poor or bad condition” as those in urban areas.

Data from the Scottish Government’s school estate statistics 2024 publication found 10.3% of rural primary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 5.6% of urban primary schools.

Analysis by the Scottish Conservatives found 16.4% of rural secondary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 8.5% of urban secondary schools.

Across Scotland, more than 8% of all primary and secondary schools are in poor or bad condition, the data showed.

The Scottish Tories called for action from the Scottish Government to ensure all schools are fit for purpose.

Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesman Tim Eagle said: “No child should be learning in a school that is in a poor or bad condition, but on the SNP’s watch there is a clear postcode lottery.

“These shocking figures show that the SNP are failing rural Scotland and are simply ignoring large parts of the country when it comes to education.

“Too many schools in rural Scotland are being run down under the SNP. In those areas, pupils and teachers are twice as likely to be in a building that is in a poor or bad condition compared to schools in urban parts of Scotland.

“The SNP insist education is their top priority but it is clear that they have abandoned many schools, pupils and teachers.

“These figures must signal a change in approach from the SNP, who should ensure every school, and in particular those in rural areas, are fit for purpose.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain the school estate, direct Scottish Government funding has seen the number of schools in ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ condition increase from 62.7% in 2007 to 91.7% in 2024.

“We are continuing to invest in the school estate through the £2 billion learning estate investment programme.

“This includes supporting the construction of six new rural school building projects.”