This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter.

As The Herald reported yesterday, the Scottish Government has announced plans to invest millions of pounds supporting inclusive education in sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the next five years, a total of £12.5m will be spent on two projects operating across Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia: one to support disabled children attend school; and another to help women and girls access education up to the tertiary level.

This is on top of a £350,000 contribution to the World Bank’s Inclusive Education Policy Academy, and a £150,000 partnership with Heriot Watt supporting scholarships for women in Zambia.

But wait a minute – aren’t schools in Scotland facing major cuts, and aren’t there big holes in the provision of inclusive education right here?

Absolutely.

In recent months The Herald has given extensive coverage to this issue. In Falkirk, the council wants to reduce the school week in order to help balance the books. In North Lanarkshire, reductions in school transport provision have raised concerns about pupil safety. In North Ayrshire, proposals for impending budget cuts include a reduction in teacher numbers and the complete closure of a cherished........

© Herald Scotland