Press Releases

New analysis shows rural schools are twice as likely to be in “poor or bad condition” as urban schools.

The Scottish Conservatives say the figures show the SNP are “failing rural Scotland” and “ignoring large parts of the country”.

The party’s rural spokesman Tim Eagle said the statistics confirmed rural Scotland was being “run down” under the SNP.

Data from the Scottish Government’s School Estate Statistics 2024 publication shows that 10.3 per cent of rural primary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 5.6 per cent of urban primary schools. 

Additionally, 16.4 per cent of rural secondary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 8.5 per cent of urban secondary schools.

Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle MSP 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.”

Notes:

Over 11% of schools in rural local authorities are in poor or bad condition. Data from the Scottish Government’s ‘School Estate Statistics 2024’ shows that 11.12% (115 out of 1,034) of primary and secondary schools in the 14 rural local authorities are in poor or bad condition. This includes 10.25% (91 out of 888) of primary schools in rural local authorities in poor or bad condition, and 16.44% (24 out of 146) of secondary schools. (School Estate Statistics 2024, 10 September 2024, Table 4.2 and 4.3, link; Understanding the Scottish rural economy: research paper, 23 February 2018, link). 

Over 6% of schools in urban local authorities are in poor or bad condition. Data from the Scottish Government’s ‘School Estate Statistics 2024’ shows that 6.1% (80 out of 1,312) of primary and secondary schools in the 18 urban local authorities are in poor or bad condition. This includes 5.64% (62 out of 1,099) of primary schools in urban local authorities in poor or bad condition, and 8.45% (18 out of 213) of secondary schools. (School Estate Statistics 2024, 10 September 2024, Table 4.2 and 4.3, link). 

Therefore, schools in rural local authorities are nearly twice as likely to be in poor or bad condition than urban. Data from the Scottish Government’s ‘School Estate Statistics 2024’ shows that 11.12% of rural primary and secondary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 6.1% of urban schools. Furthermore, 10.25% of rural primary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 5.64% of urban primary schools. Lastly, 16.44% of rural secondary schools are in poor or bad condition, compared to 8.45% of urban secondary schools. (School Estate Statistics 2024, 10 September 2024, Table 4.2 and 4.3, link; Understanding the Scottish rural economy: research paper, 23 February 2018, link). 

Over 8% of all primary and secondary schools in Scotland are in poor or bad condition. Data from the Scottish Government’s ‘School Estate Statistics 2024’ shows that 8.31% (195 out of 2,346) of primary and secondary schools in all local authorities are in poor or bad condition. This includes 7.7% (153 out of 1,987) of primary schools in all local authorities in poor or bad condition, and 11.7% (42 out of 359) of secondary schools. (School Estate Statistics 2024, 10 September 2024, Table 4.2 and 4.3, link). 

Primary schools that are classified as being in poor or bad condition, broken down by local authority: 

(School Estate Statistics 2024, 10 September 2024, Table 4.2 and 4.3, link). 

Secondary schools that are classified as being in poor or bad condition, broken down by local authority: 

(School Estate Statistics 2024, 10 September 2024, Table 4.2 and 4.3, link).