EXCLUSIVE: Anas Sarwar challenged the SNP Government to invest in schools after receiving a record devolution settlement from Westminster.
Thousands of Scots pupils are being forced to learn in crumbling schools rated as being in “bad” or “poor” condition.
The latest official figures from the Scottish Government show the number of schools rated as being in good condition declined from 644 last year to 581 in 2025. A total of 195 schools were ranked as being in either “poor” or “bad” condition.
Anas Sarwar said the decline in the condition of school buildings was a sign the SNP Government was “out of touch” as it focused on making a renewed push for Scottish independence.
Maintaining school buildings is the responsibility of local authorities but cash-strapped town halls have been struggling to balance their books following years of council tax freezes imposed by Holyrood.
Writing in his regular column for the Record, the Scottish Labour leader said: “When I look at this SNP government, I see no sense of urgency, no sense of ambition and no sign of new ideas.
“And when I look at Scotland’s public services, I see no sign of the game-changing £5.2 billion budget boost the UK Labour government delivered. Where has that money gone?
“This SNP Government is looking more knackered and more out of touch government than ever before.
“SNP politicians have spent this conference talking to their own members rather than the public, trying their best to whip up some enthusiasm with speeches so tired they must have been written by ChatSNP.
“They reel off empty platitudes about Scotland’s future while the SNP government is squandering the futures of Scotland’s young people right now.”
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Sarwar continued: “Latest figures show nearly 200 schools in Scotland are currently in bad or poor condition – that’s more than 50,000 kids trying to learn in schools that are not fit for purpose.
“Violence in classrooms is rife, the attainment gap remains stubbornly wide and now teacher strikes are looming.”
SNP MSP George Adam said: “Anas Sarwar’s claims don’t change the facts – the last time Labour were in power, they left Scotland’s schools in a terrible state.
“Under the SNP, 92 per cent of Scotland’s children are learning in schools rated good or satisfactory – the highest number ever, up from just 62.7 per cent when we took office.”
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