FOI/202400441448 · FOI · already published
Scottish Government correspondence referencing "teachers" and "unconscious bias": FOI release
Information requested
Please send me all documents, plus emails sent within the Scottish Government, and to and from external stakeholders, referencing "unconscious bias" plus "teachers". This should include any emails from teachers, unions, academics or other stakeholders regarding the Scottish Government's proposal to introduce mandatory unconscious bias training for teachers.
Response
In line with our response to your previous request, FOI 202400442058, we have focused on all documentation containing the specified information within the Education Portfolio only.
I enclose a copy of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA applies to that information: 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views), s25(1) information already available online and 38(1)(b) (personal information).
Exemptions under section 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice and free and frank exchange of views) apply to some of the information provided.
This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to discuss issues and options with external stakeholders before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view.
This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.
We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which tocommunicate with appro priate external stakeholders as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA applies to that information: 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views), s25(1) information already available online and 38(1)(b) (personal information). Exemptions under section 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice and free and frank exchange of views) apply to some of the information provided. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to discuss issues and options with external stakeholders before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.