Jenny Gilruth

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Jenny Gilruth

| honorific-suffix = MSP

| image = Official portrait of education secretary Jenny Gilruth (cropped 1).jpg

| office = Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

| firstminister = Humza Yousaf
John Swinney

| termstart = 29 March 2023

| termend =

| predecessor = Shirley-Anne Somerville

| successor =

| office1 = Minister for Transport

| firstminister1 = Nicola Sturgeon

| term_start1 = 24 January 2022

| term_end1 = 29 March 2023

| predecessor1 = Graeme Dey

| successor1 = Kevin Stewart

| office2 = Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

| term_start2 = 17 February 2020

| term_end2 = 24 January 2022

| predecessor2 = Ben Macpherson

| successor2 = Neil Gray

| majority =

| birth_name = Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1984}}

| birth_place = Aberdeen, Scotland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Scottish National Party

| alma_mater = University of Glasgow
University of Strathclyde

| partner =

| website = {{URL|https://www.jennygilruthmsp.scot}}

| office3 = Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Mid Fife and Glenrothes

| term_start3 = 6 May 2016

| term_end3 =

| predecessor3 = Tricia Marwick

| successor3 =

| majority3 = 10,234 (31.3%)

| nationality = Scottish

| image_size = 220px

| caption = Official portrait, 2023

| spouse = {{marriage|Kezia Dugdale|2022}}

| firstminister2 = Nicola Sturgeon

}}

Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth (born 1984) is a Scottish politician who has served as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-constituencies/S16000129 |title=Mid Fife and Glenrothes |work=BBC News |date=6 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216215233/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-constituencies/S16000129 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |df=dmy-all }}

In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, Gilruth was elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Fife and Glenrothes constituency. She sat on the SNP's backbenches and served successively in the parliament's education, health, justice and social security committees. On 17 February 2020, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appointed Gilruth to the Scottish Government as the minister for culture, Europe and international development. She was later reshuffled as the transport minister and oversaw the transition of the public ownership of ScotRail. Following Humza Yousaf's appointment as first minister of Scotland, a campaign Gilruth endorsed, she was subsequently appointed to cabinet as the education secretary.

Early life and career

Gilruth was first raised in Banff, Aberdeenshire, before her family moved to Ceres, Fife.{{cite news |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/3350106/jenny-gilruth-transport-minister/ |title=Who is Jenny Gilruth? Meet Scotland's Transport Minister dealing with a ScotRail crisis |publisher=The Courier |access-date=9 June 2022}} Her father was born and raised in Newport-on-Tay.{{cite news |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/talking-politics/552396/jenny-gilruth-kezia-dugdale-strength-cope-jungle-fever/ |title=Jenny Gilruth: Kezia Dugdale has the strength to cope with jungle fever |last=Gilruth |first=Jenny |date=27 November 2017 |newspaper=The Courier |location=Dundee |access-date=12 November 2019 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125004234/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/552396/jenny-gilruth-kezia-dugdale-strength-cope-jungle-fever/ |url-status=live }} She was educated at Madras College (St Andrews, Fife){{cite news |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/162891/election-2016-tricia-marwick-inspiration-says-snp-candidate/ |title=Scottish Election 2016: 'Tricia Marwick has been such an inspiration', says SNP candidate |first=Michael |last=Alexander |date=29 April 2016 |newspaper=The Courier |location=Dundee |access-date=8 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430121028/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/162891/election-2016-tricia-marwick-inspiration-says-snp-candidate/ |archive-date=30 April 2016 |df=dmy-all }} and lives in Markinch. She graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in sociology and politics, and obtained her Professional Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Strathclyde.

Before becoming an MSP, Gilruth was a Principal Teacher of Social Subjects at St. Columba's Roman Catholic High School, Dunfermline, she was previously a National Qualifications Development Officer at Education Scotland, and prior to that taught Modern Studies at the Royal High School, in Edinburgh.{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/royal-high-students-to-host-panel-event-in-bbc-competition-1-1233582 |title=Royal High students to host panel event in BBC competition |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |date=23 March 2010 |access-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603135343/http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/royal-high-students-to-host-panel-event-in-bbc-competition-1-1233582 |archive-date=3 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }} Gilruth also marked exams for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is a published author.{{cite book |title=National 4/5 Modern Studies Course Notes (Course Notes for SQA Exams) Paperback |date=5 May 2014 |last=Gilruth |first=Jenny |id={{ASIN|0007504950|country=uk}}}}

Member of Scottish Parliament (2016–present)

In April 2016, Gilruth was nominated as the SNP's candidate for Mid Fife and Glenrothes in the Scottish Parliament election on 5 May 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/14403831.SNP_choose_candidate_for_Mid_Fife_seat/ |title=SNP choose candidate for Mid Fife seat |first=Jim |last=Stark |newspaper=Central Fife Times |date=5 April 2016 |access-date=6 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602131546/http://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/14403831.SNP_choose_candidate_for_Mid_Fife_seat/ |archive-date=2 June 2016 |df=dmy-all }} She won the seat with 15,555 votes (54.9% of the vote), with a majority of 8,236; more than double the votes cast for second-place candidate Kay Morrison of Scottish Labour.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-constituencies/S16000129 |title=Mid Fife and Glenrothes |work=BBC News |access-date=21 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216215233/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-constituencies/S16000129 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |df=dmy-all}} She succeeded Tricia Marwick, who had been the Presiding Officer in the 4th Scottish Parliament (2011–16).{{cite web |url=https://thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/162891/election-2016-tricia-marwick-inspiration-says-snp-candidate/ |title=Scottish Election 2016: 'Tricia Marwick has been such an inspiration', says SNP candidate |website=The Courier |location=Dundee |access-date=21 January 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003240/https://thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/162891/election-2016-tricia-marwick-inspiration-says-snp-candidate/ |archive-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}

Junior minister (2020–2023)

In February 2020, Gilruth joined the Scottish Government as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development as part of the reshuffle following the resignation of Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.scot/news/cabinet-appointments/ |date=17 February 2020 |title=Cabinet Appointments |website=Scottish Government |access-date=2020-02-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217111905/https://www.gov.scot/news/cabinet-appointments/ |archive-date=17 February 2020}}

In a ministerial reshuffle on 24 January 2022, Gilruth was appointed as Minister for Transport, following the resignation of Graeme Dey.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.scot/news/ministerial-changes/ |title=Ministerial changes |date=24 January 2022 |website=Scottish Government |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125004234/https://www.gov.scot/news/ministerial-changes/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-announces-new-transport-minister-for-scotland-as-jenny-gilruth-3540121 |title=Nicola Sturgeon announces new Transport Minister for Scotland as Jenny Gilruth |date=24 January 2022 |first=Anna |last=Bryan |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125004230/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-announces-new-transport-minister-for-scotland-as-jenny-gilruth-3540121 |url-status=live }} She said: "The transport portfolio is an exciting opportunity to not just shape the infrastructure of our country but to also help Scotland become a world leader in achieving our goal to become net zero by 2045." As Transport Minister, she was involved in managing issues related to ScotRail train services and a dispute with ASLEF, as well as responsibilities relating to the provision of Scottish ferries.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61737750| title=ScotRail agrees 5% pay deal with train drivers' union |publisher=BBC News |access-date=3 June 2022}} In June 2022, she responded to questions in the Scottish Parliament about her accountability and responsibility in resolving the ScotRail/ASLEF pay dispute.

Education Secretary (2023–present)

{{See also|Premiership of Humza Yousaf|First Yousaf government|Second Yousaf government|Swinney government}}

On 29 March 2023, newly appointed First Minister Humza Yousaf promoted Gilruth to the Scottish Cabinet as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, succeeding Shirley-Anne Somerville.{{Cite web |title=Former teacher Jenny Gilruth is Scotland's new education secretary {{!}} Tes |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/former-teacher-jenny-gilruth-scotlands-new-education-secretary |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.tes.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf appoints his cabinet |url=https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-appoints-his-cabinet-12844999 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Sky News |language=en}} Following Yousaf's resignation as First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party in May 2024, Gilruth retained the post of Cabinet Secretary for Education in the Swinney government.{{cite web |title=At-a-glance: Who's who in the new Scottish cabinet |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx7dx43x7gno |website=BBC News |access-date=8 July 2024 |date=8 May 2024}}

=School–based violence=

File:Exam Results Day 2023.jpg on Exam Results Day, 2023]]

Gilruth came under criticism in February 2024 as it became to light that she had not read a report into violence in schools in the Aberdeen City Council area. Scotland's largest union representing teachers, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) claimed that they found it "very difficult to understand why the cabinet secretary would not have read the Aberdeen report or at least have been briefed on it".{{cite web |title=Scotland's Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth criticised for failing to read Aberdeen schools violence report |url=https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-education-secretary-jenny-gilruth-criticised-for-failing-to-read-aberdeen-schools-violence-report-13081651 |website=Sky News |access-date=8 July 2024 |language=en}} Addressing the comments made by an EIS spokesperson, Gilruth said that the report would "be for Aberdeen City Council to respond to", and also highlighted her awareness around the "challenges on this matter". Gilruth highlighted the work that was underway within the Scottish Parliament at that point in order to draft a plan which would see the Scottish Government and Scotland's local authorities working together to the combat violence in Scottish schools.

In August 2024, as education secretary, Gilruth launched the Scottish Behaviour Plan on behalf of the Scottish Government which advocates for "high warmth and high standards" in Scottish schools.{{cite web |title=New Scottish behaviour plan advises 'high warmth and high standards' {{!}} Tes |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/new-scottish-behaviour-plan-advises-high-warmth-and-high-standards |website=www.tes.com |access-date=13 April 2025 |language=en}} Additionally, the plan indicated that a "culture shift" had been a major cause for leaving teachers feeling "disempowered". The plan widely backed a relationship approach across Scotland's schools, and did not advocate for pupils being excluded as a consequence for their behaviour.

In an interview with the Times Educational Supplement in March 2025, Gilruth confirmed that tackling school–based violence and the "deterioration in behaviour" was a "big priority for the Scottish Government".{{cite web |title=Jenny Gilruth: Behaviour in schools is the 'big' priority {{!}} Tes |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/jenny-gilruth-interview-behaviour-big-priority-for-schools-education-scotland |website=www.tes.com |access-date=13 April 2025 |language=en}} In the interview, Gilruth claimed that the way in which schools are funded "must be looked at", citing "the wider role schools are now playing in supporting struggling families". She also expressed concerns over the number of school pupils leaving school early in Scotland, as well as the "lack of equity" on courses which are currently being provided to pupils in the upper stages of secondary schools in the country.

=Hayward Review and examinations=

In September 2024, Gilruth announced that, moving forward, exams would "play a smaller role in the overall grade" pupils obtain at school.{{cite web |title=School exams to play a smaller role in overall grades |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62r3v7n2p0o |website=BBC News |access-date=13 April 2025 |date=19 September 2024}} Her announcement followed a major report into the matter, which highlighted "pupils should not sit examinations prior to entering Fifth year". Gilruth confirmed that "exams would still play a part in most courses, but that more emphasis should be put on coursework and classroom assessment". The Scottish Government was criticised for failing to implement more recommendations made in the report into Scotland's examination network, however, Gilruth stated that other recommendations "needed more work" and were the "longer term aim of the Scottish Government to implement".

The Hayward Review of Scotland's Qualifications System report recommended "a wider range of assessment measures for Highers and Advanced Highers courses". Speaking to the Scottish Parliament, she confirmed "the rebalance of assessment does not mean that exams will be removed and I can therefore confirm that examinations will remain part of our overall national approach and will not be removed from all National 5 courses".

File:Travelling Cabinet Ayr (Scotland) on November 4, 2024 - 56.jpg, November 2024]]

===Rural schools===

In April 2024, Gilruth and the leader of the Highland Council, Raymond Bremner, met with parents of children attending rural schools in the Highland area of Scotland, following the establishment of the Save Our Rural Schools campaign. A letter was sent to parents by the campaign of children attending Ullapool, Gairloch High School, Kinlochbervie High School and Farr High, calling for a meeting to discuss the “dire state of the buildings".{{cite web |title=Politicians give 'promise of future meetings to find solutions' to rural school campaigners |url=https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/politicians-give-promise-of-future-meetings-to-find-solutio-354916/ |website=RossShire Journal |access-date=8 July 2024 |language=en |date=6 July 2024}} Following the meeting, Gilruth said that she would "promise future meetings to find solutions" to the issues identified by the campaign.

In March 2025, Gilruth was asked to intervene regarding the condition of Buckie High School in Moray, which was described as "one of the worst in Scotland" by a Moray Council councillor.{{cite web |title=‘Heart-breaking’ state of Moray school sees plea for help to Education Secretary |url=https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/heart-breaking-state-of-moray-school-sees-plea-for-help-to-377999/ |website=Northern Scot |access-date=13 April 2025 |language=en |date=26 March 2025}} The school was initially set to benefit from funding through the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) Phase 3 project, however, after substantial cuts made by Moray Council to their budget, the likelihood of any substantial programme of refurbishment at the school commencing were cut dramatically. The school, through the funding from the Scottish Government investment programme, was initially set to be reconstructed.

=Tuition fees=

In March 2025, Gilruth confirmed that the Scottish Government "will stand by free tuition fees" despite funding challenges faced by Scottish universities.{{cite web |title='We will stand by free tuition fees' - Jenny Gilruth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqjwj0dzrjo |website=BBC News |access-date=13 April 2025 |date=16 March 2025}} She confirmed that the Scottish National Party (SNP) who run the Scottish Government, will "never support a policy where we bring back tuition fees", claiming that "we need to look to the progress we have made in relation to widening access to children from our poorer communities".

Gilruth was accused of "lack of accountability" by the Scottish Conservatives following the announcement by the University of Dundee that it was to cut 632 jobs in an attempt to reduce its £35 million defect.{{cite web |last1=Media |first1=P. A. |title=Gilruth accused of ‘lack of accountability’ over university funding shortfalls |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/gilruth-accused-of-lack-of-accountability-over-university-funding-shortfalls |website=STV News |access-date=13 April 2025 |date=16 March 2025}}

==Political and personal views==

In September 2024, she stated that the quality of debate in the Scottish Parliament could be improved by limiting the use of mobile phones and tablets among MSPs.{{cite web | last=Grant | first=Alistair | title=SNP minister criticises quality of debate in Holyrood and blames phones | website=The Scotsman | date=2024-09-01 | url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-minister-criticises-quality-of-debate-in-holyrood-and-blames-phones-4764301 | access-date=2024-09-03}}{{cite web | last=Young | first=Gregor | title=Holyrood could limit mobile phones usage by MSPs, Education Secretary suggests | website=The National | date=2024-09-01 | url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24555284.holyrood-limits-mobile-phones-usage-msps-looked/ | access-date=2024-09-03}}{{cite web | last=Learmonth | first=Andrew | title=Banning phones in Holyrood could improve quality of debate, says minister | website=The Herald | date=2024-09-01 | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24555240.banning-phones-holyrood-improve-debate-says-minister/ | access-date=2024-09-03}}

Personal life

On 15 July 2017, it was announced Gilruth was in a relationship with Kezia Dugdale, who was, at that time, leader of the Scottish Labour Party.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40618823 |title=Kezia Dugdale in relationship with SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth |work=BBC News |date=15 July 2017 |access-date=15 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715183007/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40618823 |archive-date=15 July 2017 |df=dmy-all}} In June 2022, Gilruth and Dugdale married in a private ceremony.{{Cite web |title=SNP transport minister Jenny Gilruth and former Scottish Labour Kezia Dugdale leader marry |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/snp-minister-jenny-gilruth-and-former-scottish-labour-kezia-dugdale-leader-marry-3729109 |access-date=13 June 2022 |first=Lucinda |last=Cameron |date=13 June 2022 |work=The Scotsman |language=en}}