THE Scottish government is facing calls to boost school funding as the number of pupils with additional support needs double to an all-time high while specialist teachers fall to a new low.

Looking at Scotland’s pupil census, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) found 40.5 per cent of young Scots now had an additional support need.

The numbers more than doubled between 2014 and 2024 from 140,000 to over 284,000, despite specialist teachers falling from 3,077 to 2,837.

There was also found to have been a 580 per cent rise in pupils with mental health issues.

A spokesperson for teaching union EIS warned: “Despite the growing level of need, the number of specialist teaching and support staff available across the country has declined significantly in recent years, largely as a result of a lack of investment.

“The Scottish government and local authorities must grasp this particular nettle, and commit the necessary resources to fully implement the promise of inclusive education made to all children, young people and their families over 20 years ago.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said it is investing an additional £29 million this year to support provision of specialist teachers.