Positive destination figures for Aberdeenshire school pupils welcomed by MSP
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New statistics have shown 93.9 per cent of pupils across Aberdeenshire were in a "positive destination" within nine months of leaving school last year.
The latest figures show that 2631 school leavers from the region went on to either work, training or further study.
Across Scotland, the statistics show that 93.2 per cent of pupils overall who left school last year were in a positive destination nine months later – up from 92.2 per cent in the previous year.
The figures also show a record proportion of young people from the most deprived communities going on to positive destinations and the gap between school leavers from the most and least deprived areas achieving positive destinations narrowed to a record low of 7.5 percentage points. This gap has now more than halved since 2009-2010.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “It is brilliant to see 93.9 per cent of pupils across Aberdeenshire are going on to positive destinations – whether that be work, training or further study.
“After what has been a significantly challenging couple of years for our young people, all credit must be given to them for overcoming the challenges and the hard work, and to all those who have supported them.
“I am grateful that the Scottish Government is ensuring that strong action is being taken to fulfil our commitment to get it right for every child, providing the support and environment to give all our young people the best possible chance to succeed – no matter what their background.
“From investing in tackling the poverty-related attainment gap, free tuition or introducing the back to work jobs grant for people aged 16 to 24 – the SNP in government is taking actions to prioritise young people in Aberdeenshire.
“While opposition parties continue to paint a bleak picture of what young people in Scotland are achieving, the reality is that real progress is being made as a result of Scottish Government action.”
