Scotland to offer free school bags for new primary school children from next year

A representative image of the rucksack. It is blue with a large front pocket and white reflective stripes. — Image caption,
A representative image of the how the bags might look like

25 August 2026

All children starting Primary One in Scotland next year will be offered a free school bag, the Scottish Government has announced.

The new "welcome to School" backpacks will be handed out to around 47,000 children starting school in August 2027.

The bags will come in a variety of colours and will contain things such as a pencil case, stationery and a water bottle.

The Scottish Government says the bags will help families with the cost of starting school and make sure every child has the things they need for their first day, but some politicians have criticised the plans.

What has the Scottish Government announced?

School classroom with children learning in background.

The bags were first announced by the Scottish National Party (SNP) - the political party currently in government in Scotland - earlier this year.

The backpacks will be made from recycled materials and will have different compartments and pockets.

They will also have reflective strips to help children be seen as well as spaces for name tags.

Each bag will contain a range of of school supplies including a pencil case, pens, coloured crayons, a notebook and a water bottle.

Children will also be able to choose the colour of their bag.

The backpacks are still being developed, and Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said discussions with children, families and teachers would help shape their final design and contents.

She added: "It is about providing an equalising start to school and saying 'welcome to school' on the same footing as everyone else."

The cost of the bags and exactly how they will be handed out has not yet been confirmed.

What has the response been to the school bags?

Schoolchildren playing outside in a playground.

The idea has received criticism from some politicians.

Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher called the plan "not responsible government".

She also criticised the fact that the government has not yet said how much the scheme will cost taxpayers, describing the bags as "flashy goodie bags".

She said the Scottish Government should instead be focusing on issues such as school standards and the gap between pupils' achievements.