UofG experts are calling for immediate action to ‘future proof’ Scottish education, warning that it is facing unprecedented challenges that could affect children’s futures.

In their latest paper, Professor Chis Chapman and Professor Graham Donaldson argue that Scotland needs to simplify its approach to teaching, to give greater clarity about how we educate our children and young people in an increasingly complex world.

‘Creating tomorrow’s education for today’ reports that the ‘social contract’ between families and schools is broken. In January 2025 STV reported that 180,000 pupils missed a day of schooling every two weeks and a further 71,852 - showing attendance at school is becoming optional.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can enhance learning and teaching - but we must be realistic about its limitations and dangers, warn the authors. They also argue that the closer decision-making is to the realities of the classroom, the more the focus will be on the needs of young people and the specifics of learning and teaching.

The paper envisages seven steps that could create a more dynamic approach to policymaking that can bridge the gap with the classroom and the learning and wellbeing of young people. These include the importance of a collaborative approach and shared vision; getting the right leadership in the right places; supporting professional learning; taking an approach to accountability that is authoritative, constructive, and promotes improvement.

It also recommends harnessing the potential of the university sector, citing the newly launched Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Glasgow, which has the potential to generate ideas, expertise and energy needed to motivate the profession.

Former President of the Standing International Conference of Inspectorates, Professor Graham Donaldson CB, said: “We are entering a new phase of global history. The Covid pandemic, combined with existential opportunities and challenges, all conspire to make the planet a very different place to a world of relative stability, when incremental change and improvement was the order of the day.

“Scottish education has been at a crossroads for a while now, but our research is showing is that the very nature of education in Scotland and more widely is about to take a radical departure – and the challenges associated with teaching have reached unprecedented levels. Our paper draws on evidence and insights to reflect on what the Scottish education system could put in place to navigate these unchartered waters.”

Professor Chris Chapman added: “We wrote - and are sharing - this paper in the spirit of productivity and collaboration. Central to our research has always been the argument that putting professionals at the heart of decision-making will better meet the needs of children and young people from all backgrounds. Achieving the right balance between local responsibility and the need to make sure what is taught and learned is high quality is vital for keeping Scotland’s young people fit for the future, its society healthy and its economy strong.

“Ultimately, it is our hope that those with the influence and power to reimagine tomorrow’s education system will not shy away from being brave, creative and collaborative in setting a compelling agenda. We owe it to our young people to provide a school experience that takes into account the reality of their lives today and in the future.”

‘Creating tomorrow’s education for today’ is the latest in a series by Professor Chapman and Donaldson on education reform in Scotland. ‘Where Next for Scottish Education: Learning is Scotland’s Future’ and ‘Where Next for Scottish Schools: Leading from the Classroom’ both highlighted the actions that are needed to successfully transform Scotland’s education system.

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First published: 7 October 2025

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