Jenny Gilruth has been named Scotland’s new education secretary.
The former principal teacher of social subjects was appointed as part of a cabinet reshuffle by new first minister Humza Yousaf today. Ms Gilruth (pictured with Mr Yousaf in January) takes over from Shirley-Anne Somerville, who has held the post since May 2021. Ms Somerville moves to become social justice secretary.
Ms Gilruth became transport minister in January 2022. Her period in post has coincided with rail strikes and controversies over new ferries and delayed dualling of the notorious A9. Previously, from 2020, she had been minister for Europe and international development, a role that was expanded to include culture after the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election.
Later in the day, Renfrewshire North and West MSP Natalie Don was announced as minister for children, young people and keeping The Promise (to care-experienced children).
EIS teaching union general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “As a former teacher, Ms Gilruth will bring first-hand experience and knowledge of Scottish education, its strengths, rich worth and value despite the challenges that teachers and pupils often face in the classroom as a result of socioeconomic factors, resource constraints and other critical issues.”
She added: “During the pay dispute, teachers welcomed Ms Gilruth’s acknowledgment of the vital work of teachers and her support for increasing teacher pay in light of the soaring cost of living. While the matter of teacher pay is now settled for this year, it is encouraging that the new cabinet secretary will enter future negotiations on pay and, hopefully, improvements to teacher workload and wellbeing, and discussions on how we can enhance the quality of education provision for children and young people overall, with such a positive mindset.”
Ms Gilruth, the MSP for Mid-Fife and Glenrothes since 2016, has written for Tes Scotland. In 2018, she highlighted the shortcomings of career structures for teachers in Scotland and the need for more female headteachers.
She wrote: “The availability of promoted posts has arguably shrunk in recent years, as councils used the framework of Curriculum for Excellence to justify a shift to faculty heads or curriculum leaders, thereby saving money. But that has also removed a stepping stone to promotion.”
She added: “The importance of strong leadership in education cannot be underestimated. It is even more crucial in light of the Scottish government’s drive to close the attainment gap. As the first minister [Nicola Sturgeon] demonstrates every day, strong leadership isn’t about gender - it’s an avenue which should be open to the majority of women who make up the teaching workforce. Our councils need to wake up. If events around the world in recent months have taught them anything, it should be this: women’s voices matter.”
In a 2017 piece for Tes Scotland, Ms Gilruth drew comparisons between teaching and politics.
She wrote: “As a principal teacher, I longed for more time: to plan a unit of work, to work with the cluster, to mark my first years’ jotters. As a politician, it’s no different. You rush from committee meetings to parliamentary receptions, to votes, to give interviews to the local radio station - it’s non-stop.
“Pupils assume you live under your desk. You’ll recognise that look of shock when they spy you in Asda on a Saturday. Sometimes I think constituents think likewise, although social media helps to blur those lines and make politicians ‘instantly‘ accessible.”
Ms Gilruth spent parts of her childhood in Aberdeenshire and Fife. She was educated at Madras College in St Andrews, then studied sociology and politics at the University of Glasgow before undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of Strathclyde to become a modern studies teacher.
She would go on to teach modern studies and become the department head of a Fife secondary. Her first job on leaving university in 2006 was a summer contract as a play worker in Glasgow’s east end.
In a December 2022 interview with Holyrood magazine, Ms Gilruth spoke about that first job and how it affected her approach to being transport minister. She said that the community she worked in, Cranhill, was “fantastic” but that some children had never been to the city centre and were “completely isolated”.
She considered a career in journalism but has said her friendship with Tricia Marwick - a former SNP MSP and presiding officer at the Scottish Parliament - was a big factor in turning to politics.
In June 2022, Ms Gilruth married former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
The full cabinet - which includes a majority of women for the first time - is:
- Shona Robison, deputy first minister and finance portfolio
- Michael Matheson, NHS recovery, health and social care
- Jenny Gilruth, education and skills
- Màiri McAllan, net zero and just transition
- Neil Gray, wellbeing economy, fair work and energy
- Mairi Gougeon, rural affairs, land reform and islands
- Angus Robertson, constitution, external affairs and culture
- Shirley-Anne Somerville, social justice
- Angela Constance, justice and home affairs.
Mr Yousaf said: “The cabinet team I have unveiled reflects the priorities that we will pursue as a government - including tackling child poverty, improving public services and building a fairer, greener economy.”
He added: “I have made clear my belief Scotland’s government should look as much as possible like the people we represent. As well as being the first ever first minister from a minority ethnic background, I am pleased that a record number of women have agreed to serve, as well as a significant blend of younger and more experienced members. That said, every single appointment has been made on merit.
“Every single person in this government is clear that it is for the people of Scotland to determine their constitutional future - no one else - and we will work to ensure that they are given that right. As we make the case for Scottish independence, we will continue to govern well and demonstrate to the people of Scotland the benefits of decisions about their lives being taken here in Scotland.”
