E-Sgoil funding

A virtual school allowing secondary pupils across the Western Isles to access more curriculum subjects through online classes will be developed thanks to £550,000 in Scottish Government funding.

Bord na Gaidhlig is also contributing £150,000 the pioneering internet venture, called e-Sgoil (e-school).

The initial focus of the e-Sgoil - which will be based in the old museum building on Francis St, Stornoway - will be on delivering higher subjects, courses, Gaelic medium education, vocational skills and initial teacher training.

The initiative, which will receive match funding from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, aims to tackle unique challenges islands authorities face in delivering an education service.

Virtual Western Isles school receives funding boost

24 August 2016

This includes how to ensure all pupils have equal opportunities to access the full curriculum.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "We want to deliver a world class education for every child in the country and we have committed to improving the use of digital technology through our digital learning and teaching strategy. The new E-sgoil is an excellent example of how we can do this for pupils living in rural communities.

“This innovative project will address many of the issues identified by the island councils last year including teacher recruitment for certain subjects and subject choices for pupils in the senior phase of school."

Once the e-Sgoil is up and running in the Western Isles, the intention is to share the resource with Orkney and Shetland.

It may expanded into other rural parts of the Highlands in the future with Highland Council and Argyll and Bute Council showing an interest.

Mr Swinney said the "exciting and innovative" development will help transform the way education is delivered in rural communities.

The comhairle's educaion chairperson, Catriona Stewart, welcomes the funding announcement.

She said: “The Gaelic e-Sgoil initiative is a necessary and exciting partnership between the Comhairle, the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

"It will provide enhanced learning and teaching opportunities for all children and young people in addition to greater equity of provision at secondary level."

The e-Sgoil will also provide a national online professional community for Gaidhlig teachers and an online central resource for all learning and teaching resources.

Mrs Stewart said: “The programme will also support Gaelic Medium Education in primary schools and, more importantly, provide pupils in small rural primary schools access to a wider peer group and facilitate a more collaborative approach to learning and teaching between schools and across authorities.”