The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (), commonly referred to as the Education Secretary (), is a position in the Scottish Government Cabinet responsible for all levels of education in Scotland. The incumbent is Màiri McAllan, who assumed office on 20 May 2026.
The Cabinet Secretary is supported by the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey, and the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Natalie Don.
History The position was created in 1999 as the Minister for Children and Education; it was renamed as the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs in 2000 and given more responsibilities; those were taken away from the post in 2001 and it was renamed again as the Minister for Education and Young People. The current position of Cabinet Secretary was created following the 2007 election.
Overview
Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic include:
Childcare and wraparound care School standards, quality and improvement, behaviour, inclusive education School infrastructure and staffing School learning, Additional Support Needs, support for learning Education Scotland Curriculum for Excellence development National Improvement Framework Teaching profession Removing barriers to education, closing attainment gap, supporting digital inclusion Positive destinations, school leavers toolkit, Education Maintenance Allowances Education strategy and performance, analytical services Languages of Scotland: Scottish Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language Policy and support for culture, creative, arts, and architecture industries and festivals, supporting the creative workforce Museums and galleries, and cultural collections Broadcasting and screen Creative Scotland, national performing companies Intangible cultural heritage
Public bodies The following public bodies report to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic: Care Inspectorate Children's Hearings Scotland Creative Scotland Education Scotland National Galleries of Scotland National Museums Scotland Scottish Children's Reporter Administration Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council Scottish Qualifications Authority Scottish Social Services Council Student Awards Agency for Scotland
List of office holders Minister for Children and EducationNamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst Minister Sam Galbraith19 May 19991 November 2000Labour PartyDonald Dewar Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs Jack McConnell 1 November 200022 November 2001Labour PartyHenry McLeish Minister for Education and Young People Cathy Jamieson 28 November 200120 May 2003Labour Party Jack McConnell Peter Peacock 20 May 200314 November 2006 Hugh Henry14 November 200617 May 2007Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop 17 May 20071 December 2009Scottish National Party Alex Salmond Michael Russell1 December 200921 November 2014 Angela Constance21 November 201418 May 2016Nicola SturgeonCabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney18 May 201618 May 2021Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon Shirley-Anne Somerville19 May 202129 March 2023 Jenny Gilruth29 March 202320 May 2026Humza YousafJohn Swinney Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan20 May 2026incumbentScottish National PartyJohn Swinney
References