Satisfaction with Scotland’s schools has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to new figures.
The latest paper from the Scottish Household Survey shows that 69% of adults said they were satisfied with their local schools.
This is unchanged from 2022 and 2023 but far below the peak of 85% recorded in 2011, and represents a sustained decline over the past decade.
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The survey also detected a rise in dissatisfaction, up from 7% in 2023 to 9% in 2024.
Satisfaction levels varied across the country. East Lothian recorded the lowest level at 50%, followed by Midlothian at 53% and Dumfries and Galloway at 58%.
The highest figures were found in East Renfrewshire at 88%, North Ayrshire at 84% and East Dunbartonshire at 83%.
The report stresses that some year-to-year shifts may be influenced by sampling variation, but said differences referenced in the publication were statistically significant unless stated otherwise.
At 81%, satisfaction among what the survey calls ‘service users’ — households with a school-aged child — remains higher than among non-users at 63%, but has reached its lowest point since the series began in 2007/08.
The survey also found pronounced differences for families with children who have additional needs. Satisfaction for those households is down at 70%, compared to 83%.
Levels of satisfaction did not differ significantly between Scotland’s most and least deprived areas, although respondents in the middle deprivation band recorded the lowest ratings.
The report notes: “Satisfaction with schools has generally decreased over time since the peak of 85% in 2011 to 69% in 2022 and has remained at this level since then.”
Opposition parties said the figures reflect deepening problems in Scotland’s education system under the SNP.
Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “These damning survey results show parents are losing faith in the SNP’s ability to run our schools — and it is no wonder.
“Scotland’s education system was once the envy of the world, but under the SNP violence is rife in our schools, the attainment gap is stubbornly wide, and teachers are struggling with unmanageable workloads.
“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.
“A Scottish Labour government will make classrooms safe places to learn and build an education system that unlocks the potential of every young person.”
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The Tory shadow cabinet secretary for education and skills Miles Briggs said: “Under the SNP, we have seen a dramatic decline in Scottish schools, which were once world-renowned for their excellence.
“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.
“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.
“Jenny Gilruth has been asleep at the wheel while pupils, teachers and parents have been paying the price for the Nationalists’ neglect.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
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