New legislation has been introduced at the Scottish Parliament to provide all school pupils in Scotland with the chance to benefit from a residential outdoor education.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Liz Smith has brought forward the bill and it was formally introduced at Holyrood towards the end of June.
The legislation seeks to ensure that all young people who attend local authority and grant-aided schools are provided with the opportunity to experience a minimum of four nights and five days of residential outdoor education.
It is considered that the residential outdoor education experience should be offered from P6 to S4.
However, it will be for Education Scotland, councils and school leaders to determine at what age the opportunity should be offered to young people.
Residential outdoor education concerns learning experiences that are mainly in outdoor settings and include overnight stays.
It involves receiving an education about nature and the outdoors, adventurous activities, personal development, teamwork and relevant school subjects such as biology and geography.
As part of the legislation, Scottish Ministers would be required to formulate and publish guidance for councils and schools including the nature and content of residential outdoor education and the standard to which it must be provided.
The guidance would also set out how councils and schools should evaluate whether residential outdoor education is suitable for a pupil’s age, ability, aptitude and any additional support needs.
Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw is a signatory to the bill and he is supporting the legislation at Holyrood.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw MSP said:
“The residential outdoor education bill is an excellent and much-needed piece of legislation.
“A residential outdoor education experience can significantly enhance the learning of pupils and is perhaps even more important now when considering the impact of the pandemic.
“It serves to build resilience in young people and allows school pupils to develop team working skills that are essential for making the most of future educational and employment opportunities.
“I am delighted to support the private members bill and it is vital that the legislation is passed at the Scottish Parliament.”