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SNP urged to deliver bailout to save vital outdoor education centres

For many centres, money from school residential trips makes up the bulk of their income, but such trips are not allowed under Scottish Government guidance until at least spring 2021 - Getty Images/Leon Harris
For many centres, money from school residential trips makes up the bulk of their income, but such trips are not allowed under Scottish Government guidance until at least spring 2021 - Getty Images/Leon Harris

The SNP have been urged to deliver urgent funding to save the outdoor education sector, amid warnings that around half of the 36 centres currently operating in Scotland are likely to close by this time next year without a bailout.

For many centres, money from school residential trips makes up the bulk of their income, but such trips are not allowed under Scottish Government guidance until at least spring 2021.

Outdoor centres across Scotland said ministers had made a "catastrophic" decision not to offer financial support during the pandemic. The sector had previously asked for support in order to help it survive in September, but was this request turned down.

The Scottish Government said it had funded development of guidance for "safe day visits" to centres, although an update on additional funding is expected soon.

However it has been warned that £3 million is needed just to get the sector through the winter months, with “no time to waste” as some centres have already taken part in administration talks.

“We simply cannot countenance the closure of these centres otherwise we will be depriving future generations of one of the most precious parts of the educational experience,” said Liz Smith MSP, who held a debate in Scottish Parliament on the issue with “passionate contributions” from cross-party MSPs.

“In an age when there is growing concern about young people’s physical and mental health, when Covid is disrupting so many young lives and when there is also growing concern that many children from some of the more deprived areas do not get the same opportunities as their counterparts elsewhere, it is time to treasure our outdoor education centres in the same way that we treasure our schools.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Outdoor learning is an important aspect of Scotland’s curriculum and we are fully committed to supporting outdoor education providers

“The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science wrote to MSPs this week to provide an update on the intensive work taking place, following meetings with representatives of the sector to discuss their concerns and their request for funding, and will provide a further update to MSPs as soon as possible.”