New national statistics have revealed a devastating collapse in public confidence in Scotland’s schools, with satisfaction now at its lowest level on record, and Fife and Perth & Kinross showing some of the sharpest declines.
The latest Satisfaction with Schools 2024 report shows only 69% of people across Scotland are satisfied with their local schools - matching the all-time low. Meanwhile, 9% say they are dissatisfied, the highest level ever recorded.
This marks a dramatic fall since the SNP came to power. In 2007-08, 80% of Scots were satisfied with their schools. Today it is just 69% - a drop of 11 points. Dissatisfaction has almost doubled over the same period, from 5% to 9%.
In Perth & Kinross, satisfaction has deteriorated steadily for more than a decade. In 2007-08, 84% of residents were satisfied with local schools. By 2024, this had fallen to just 63% - a collapse of 21 points.
Dissatisfaction has more than doubled from 3% to 7%, while the proportion of people feeling “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied” has more than doubled from 14% to 30%.
The trend is consistent and alarming: public confidence has eroded year after year under SNP mismanagement.
Fife has experienced a similarly sharp decline. Back in 2007-08, 84% of residents were satisfied with local schools. By 2024, that figure had dropped to 73% - down 11 points over the period.
The number of people who feel “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied” has risen from 13% to 19%, while dissatisfaction has increased from 3% to 8%.
These long-term figures expose a deepening crisis in trust across Scotland.
Roz McCall MSP said:
“These figures expose the reality that parents and teachers have known for years - Scotland’s education system is in decline, and the SNP have failed to take responsibility.
“After almost two decades in government, they have presided over a record collapse in satisfaction with our schools.
“Perth & Kinross and Fife tell the same story: declining confidence, falling behavioural standards and growing frustration.
“Families deserve better than a government that continually makes excuses while outcomes get worse.
“Restoring excellence in Scottish education must be a national priority. We need urgent action to support teachers, restore behaviour in the classroom and put our young people first again. The SNP can no longer ignore the crisis they have created.”
