Families across the north and north-east will benefit from grants for school uniform.
It is estimated 120,000 families will benefit from a new £100 national minimum school clothing grant, following agreement from Scotland’s councils and the Scottish Government.
The scheme will open in time for the 2018/19 academic year with eligibility determined at a local level.
Overall annual costs are expected to reach £12 million with 50% of the cost met by additional Scottish Government funding and 50% met by individual local authorities.
The grant will be reviewed every two years to ensure that the amount available remains in line with cost of living.
Of the £6 million being put forward from the Scottish Government around £179,000 has been allocated for Aberdeen, £153,000 for Aberdeenshire, £7,000 for the Western Isles, £195,000 for the Highlands, £70,000 for Moray, £10,000 for Orkney and £15,000 for Shetland.
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Every child in Scotland should be able to attend school feeling comfortable, confident and ready to learn.
“We know that school uniforms can be a considerable cost for families which is why we have worked in partnership with COSLA to introduce a new national minimum school clothing grant.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, COSLA’s spokesman for children and young people, said: “School uniform can be a significant cost to families and COSLA are delighted that, together with Scottish Government, all councils will be introducing an increased minimum school clothing grant across the country.
“Scotland’s councils are committed to making the learning experience as positive as possible for our young people. The announcement is another step in the right direction towards achieving this aim.”
