A huge disparity has been found in the literacy levels of Aberdeen’s richest and poorest primary pupils.
A report to be presented to today’s education committee reveals that among the most deprived 20% of primary one pupils, just 66% have the expected reading and writing standards.
Among the most affluent 20%, the figures are 84% and 82% respectively.
The gap widens among older pupils as, by primary four, the figures for the poorest are 62% and 56% while the richest are 84% and 90%.
In primary seven they are 54% and 50% for the most deprived pupils and 85% and 91% for the most affluent.
The report does note there have been marked improvements in literacy across the city and a rising number of school leavers going on to “positive destinations” like work or training.
But the report to councillors also recognises there are still “significant challenges” despite progress across many fronts and that ongoing battles with teacher recruitment have played their part.
It reads: “One of the most common reasons for under-performance is the level of vacancy across our schools.
“We have responded positively to these challenges by putting in place a range of actions.”
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Opposition Liberal Democrat education spokesman Martin Greig said: “Educational results should not depend on where you live.
“The ruling coalition has been complacent about this worrying situation.
“The difference between the most and least deprived areas is unacceptable in the 21st Century. The potential of each individual child is a priority.”
Education convener John Wheeler said: “The education improvement journey report highlights that significant work has been done to shape the local outcome improvement plan with head teachers now fully represented in all partnership improvement.
“This is an important step as the council seeks to close the attainment gap between the most deprived and least deprived communities.
“The council still has challenges when it comes to recruiting teachers and if the Scottish Government are serious about education being their number one priority then the Scottish government needs to work with us to ensure we are in a position to attract and retain teachers.”
SNP education spokeswoman Catriona Mackenzie said that the administration had failed to spend over £2 million in Scottish Government funding to tackle the attainment gap.
