THE funding model for a programme aimed at reducing the poverty-related attainment gap in schools is being overhauled.

Changes to the Scottish Attainment Challenge will see money widely distributed across the country, with the move aimed at supporting recovery from the pandemic and accelerating progress in closing the gap in educational achievement.

All 32 council areas will share £1billion of support for the education system over the parliamentary term, up from £750million previously, including continued Pupil Equity Funding for schools across the country as well as other funding streams.

Clackmannanshire Council has previously been one of nine areas with higher levels of deprivation, known as challenge authorities, which received significant additional ring-fenced funding..

The support amounted to £43m across the nine areas in 2019-20 and the introduction of Strategic Equity Funding (SEF) means the same sum will be shared across 32 local authorities annually, based on children in low income families statistics.

In 2019-20, the Wee County received £1,576,091 from the Attainment Scotland Fund as a challenge authority.

The area is receiving £1,303,282 in SEF during 2022-23, but this will reduce to just under £500,000 by 2025-26.

The redistribution of attainment challenge funding is taking place over four years, supporting challenge authorities such as Clackmannanshire, to transition to their equitable share over time, explained the government.

MSP Alexander Stewart, Conservative for Mid Scotland and Fife, has raised concerns the plans, announced in November, represent a cut for the area.

He said: “This is the last thing that Clackmannanshire Council needs, as they aim to support pupils from our most deprived communities after the disruption of the pandemic.

“Parents right across our region will equally be dismayed by these plans and SNP ministers must explain why our communities all over Clackmannanshire will be especially hit hard by these cuts.”

Schools in the Wee County will also continue receiving money through Pupil Equity Funding, which will amount to £6.6million over the next four years.

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown, SNP, said: “Since 2015, Clackmannanshire Council was one of nine attainment challenge authorities which benefited from significant additional funding.

“In agreement with COSLA, this funding will now be distributed amongst all 32 local authorities.

"Tackling the poverty-related attainment gap and giving every young person the chance to fulfil their potential remains our priority.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Clackmannanshire Council will receive more than £3.6m over the next four years.

“Schools in Clackmannanshire will also receive £6.6m of Pupil Equity Funding in this period, alongside additional investment through the Care Experienced Children and Young People Grant.

“All school pupils experiencing poverty will benefit from targeted funding in 2022-23.”