 Teenagers from care are leaving school with fewer qualifications |
The majority of children in care are leaving school without even basic exam passes in key subjects, a report says. Audit Scotland, the public watchdog, highlighted the figures in a review of children's services.
It said that 60% leave school without Foundation Standard Grades in maths and English - compared to 7% of the school population as a whole.
Councils' umbrella body Cosla said in many cases it could be an achievement for a child to attend school.
Cosla said that a Standard Grade in English was a pointless way of measuring children's progress.
 |  Saying children haven't achieved a standard grade in a particular subject might actually belittle all their other achievements  |
The Reverend Ewan Aitken, Cosla's education spokesman, said: "We should never be complacent about the challenges that children in care have, to achieve any of the range of possible educational outcomes.
"So just setting one is perhaps unhelpful in that process. Many of these youngsters come from very difficult backgrounds and begin from low starting points.
"Saying they haven't achieved a Standard Grade in a particular subject might actually belittle all their other achievements."
Rev Aitken said there were improvements being made across Scotland and more than half of the country's councils have improved their pass rates, but added there was still "a long way to go".
'Lost generation'
The Scottish National Party said children in care deserved the same start in life as other children.
Education spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop She argued that, without qualifications, they have less chance when applying for college and university places or jobs.
Ms Hyslop told BBC Scotland: "Looked after children should not become a generation of lost children, losing out on chances in life.
"This report also shows that over 20% of children placed under supervision were not seen by a supervising officer within the 15 day target.
"This is further proof of a severe strain on social workers as vacancies outstrip supply."
She added: "Another concern is that by the time these children reach the supervision order stage, they have already been waiting too long.
"The system might still be failing these children.
"Looked after children have already had to face enough problems in their lives and the executive should be endeavouring to give them better support."
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 