Pupil Equity Fund guidance sees PB in focus
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The Scottish Government has published the guidance for the Pupil Equity Fund 2020-21, featuring a statement on how schools can use PB to engage children and young people in decision making:
“Participatory budgeting (PB) is an innovative and effective mechanism to engage with parents and pupils, in particular those who face barriers to participation. PB directly involves people in participating in budgeting decisions that will have a direct impact on improving their lives and it can engage people who would not normally participate with traditional forms of communication.”
To mark this, we’ve launched a new ‘PB in Schools’ resource which highlights why PB is an effective way to build more confident and active young citizens, strengthen school culture and contribute to raising attainment across the whole school.
It also features examples of where PB has been used in Scottish schools, including Miller Primary in Castlemilk, where pupils and parents voted on how the schools could lower the cost of the school day. A recent inspection report noted:
“Commendably, the school has worked very effectively to reduce the cost of the school day for all children. The Child Poverty Action Group has recognised this work as good practice. Training in participatory budgeting has allowed parents and pupils to decide on how to use additional funding.
The school’s work on reducing the cost of the school day has led to all children having a school uniform, parties, discos and events being free, children choosing books for reading for enjoyment for their classrooms and educational and summer outings.”
