Hundreds of schools in the north and north-east are set to benefit from more than £13million from the Scottish Government’s Pupil Equity Fund.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney yesterday announced the cash allocations for the scheme, which aims to close the poverty-related attainment gap.
Across Scotland, more than £120million will be distributed to 2,379 schools next year, to be spent at the discretion of teachers.
A total of 61 schools in Aberdeen will benefit from £2.845million, while 159 schools in Aberdeenshire will get £2.906million, and 183 Highland schools will get £4.095million.
In Moray, 52 schools will share £1.341million, Orkney will have £232,200 for 18 schools, Shetland, will get £233,880 for 20 schools, Western Isles will receive £290,880 for 23 schools, and 75 schools in Argyll and Bute will share £1.401million.
Mr Swinney said: “Every child should have the best possible start in life, no matter their background. Schools have a significant role to play in ensuring every child is given the right support to help them achieve their full potential.
“Our priority is to close the poverty-related attainment gap. This £120million of Pupil Equity Funding is aimed at doing just that.
“The funding is targeted towards schools which have the highest numbers of pupils receiving free school meals, so that the money is spent on the children who need it most.”