Published Date: Mar 18th, 2025
Fife councillors have heard about the progress being made in schools by children and young people who don't have English as their first language.
The Education Scrutiny Committee heard that according to the 2023 schools census there are 3580 pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in Fife. In line with the Scottish population, Fife is continuing to see an increase in pupils with English as an additional language. Across the Kingdom pupils speak a range of 101 languages the most popular being Polish, Romanian, Urdu, Punjabi and Arabic.
Committee Convener Cllr Kathleen Leslie welcomed the report and the progress being made in schools to break down language barriers. She commented: "The number of young people in Fife needing this support is increasing as we welcome more refugees and displaced young people via resettlement schemes."
The report highlighted that Fife has now welcomed 40 Afghan pupils at Leuchars PS who arrived as part of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. 33 are in classes P1-7 and seven are in nursery classes. There are also 19 pupils being supported at Madras College. Most children arrived with little or no English and most had not attended formal education and had little/no literacy.
Families from Ukraine are also being supported through resettlement schemes and those children and young people are continuing to be supported in schools.
Added Cllr Leslie: "Our Supporting Learners' Service is doing invaluable work to help these children and young people feel at home here in Fife.
"Fife has a longstanding history in supporting those fleeing war and conflict and we cannot begin to imagine the traumatic experiences some of these children have had before they arrived here. It is vital that we all play our part in welcoming them and giving them the education and skills required to help create a brighter future."
