Free school bags for primary pupils to come in different colours

Free school bags which are to be given to all primary one pupils from next year will come in different colours and can be personalised, the Scottish government has said.

The rucksacks, pledged by the SNP earlier this year, will be made of recycled materials, have multiple compartments and pockets and will contain school essentials such as a pencil case, a water bottle and books.

Children can personalise the bags by drawing their own designs and placing them inside "window" slots on the front and back.

The Scottish government said the bags would help cut the cost for families as children started school and ensure children got the best start in education.

The SNP unveiled the plan for the "welcome to school" bag in its manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election in April.

It follows a similar principle to the baby box which was introduced by Nicola Sturgeon in 2017.

Every new mother in Scotland is entitled to a baby box, which is delivered a few weeks before the baby's due date, and contains items such as clothes, books and blankets.

The cardboard boxes also include a mattress and can be used for babies to sleep in as an alternative to a crib.

Concerns had been raised about the chaos of multiple children owning the same schoolbag.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said discussions with children, families and teachers would inform the final design, contents and colour options.

But she added that each rucksack would have a window for children to draw a design and she intended for pupils to be able to choose the colour of their school bag.

About 47,000 children starting primary one are expected to receive the rucksack next year.

It will sit alongside other benefits such as the Scottish child payment and school clothing grant, which are means tested, and universal free schools meals for primary one to five pupils.

Each rucksack will contain:

• a pencil case
• stationery including pens, pencils, coloured crayons and a notebook
• a water bottle
• resources to encourage reading, writing and maths practice at home

McAllan said it was possible to opt out of receiving the school bag, but it was part of the Scottish government's provision to give children the best start in life.

"There is no better investment we can make than ensuring young people have everything they need," she told BBC Scotland News.

"It is about providing an equalising start to school and saying 'welcome to school' on the same footing as everyone else."

She added that costs and distribution would be confirmed following the procurement process.

Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher criticised the scheme, saying it was "not responsible government".

"The SNP have been in charge of Scottish education for nearly two decades, yet they are launching a flagship policy without even knowing what it will cost taxpayers," Gallacher said.

"Parents and teachers are crying out for action on failing standards, classroom violence and the attainment gap. but SNP ministers are more interested in flashy goodie bags."