RESIDENTS in the Stirling Constituency are being encouraged to have their say on the future of education in Scotland.

The government has launched a consultation on the Education (Scotland) Bill and local MSP Bruce Crawford is urging everyone with an interest in the topic to air their views.

The government says it will guarantee new powers to head teachers to ensure young people and parents have a stronger say in the decision about children's learning and development.

MSP Crawford said: “Our teachers in the Stirling area deserve our unreserved praise for the education they are providing our young people, day in and day out.

“With more of our young people getting excellent exam results and going onto a job, training or continuing their studies - we have so much to be positive about.

“It’s really important that anyone in my constituency with an interest in the future of education in Scotland takes time before January 30, 2018, to contribute to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the new Education Bill.

“I strongly support the Scottish Government’s aim of making children, parents and teachers more empowered by moving decision-making as close to them as possible – a proposal that’s informed by strong international research which shows that empowering schools and engaging parents ultimately leads to a better education.

“I would urge as many people as possible to help transform education in Scotland by contributing to this important consultation.”

To see the consultation, visit consult.gov.scot/learning-directorate/education-scotland-bill/