Parents’ satisfaction with schools at record low, survey finds

Satisfaction with schools among parents in Scotland is at an all time low, a poll suggests.

The Scottish Household Survey is run annually and speaks to more than 10,000 households on a variety of topics.

Figures released on Tuesday for 2024 showed satisfaction with the country’s schools.

While satisfaction among the general population stagnated at 69% – the joint lowest level – satisfaction levels among service users dropped to the lowest level since the first survey in 2007.

According to the statistics, 81% said they are satisfied with the country’s schools, down from 83% the previous year and a drop from the 92% peak in 2012.

Meanwhile, the number of service users who reported being unhappy with schools was at the highest level at 12%.

Scottish Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy said the figures show parents are “losing faith” in the Scottish Government.

“Scotland’s education system was once the envy of the world, but under the SNP violence is rife our schools, the attainment gap is stubbornly wide, and teachers are struggling with unmanageable workloads,” she said.

“Young people across Scotland are being let down by this incompetent and out of touch SNP Government – but this is not as good as it gets.”

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tories’ education spokesman, said schools have faced a “dramatic decline” since the SNP took office in 2007.

“Dissatisfaction has shot up and remains at a record high, as the nation has plummeted down international league tables and the poverty-related attainment gap has widened,” he added.

“On top of that, the SNP have presided over an epidemic of disorder and violence in classrooms, with terrified teachers and pupils feeling abandoned by ministers.

“(Education Secretary) Jenny Gilruth has been asleep at the wheel while pupils, teachers and parents have been paying the price for the nationalists’ neglect.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Willie Rennie said the country “deserves better than a third decade of the SNP”.

He added: “Scottish education just isn’t what it used to be. We used to have one of the best education systems in the world, but under the SNP it is now just average.

“Children with additional support needs aren’t having their needs met, too many pupils are frequently absent, and schools are more violent than ever before.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.