Newlins released Freedom o Information (FOI) data his exposed a staggerin disparity atween e lean, passion-driven success o Scots language education an e corporate “tax” levied on skweels by the English-language drama industry.

For a total production an distribution cost o jist £2,000, e Scottish Govrenment made e delivery o 1,000 copies o the play series Auchtermichty Aw-Stars tae aroon 100 skweels free o chairge possible. Iss investment is a maisterclass in fiscal efficiency, achieved primarily acause e authors at Scots Hoose Yaldi—motivated by cultural passion raither nor private profit—waived e massive creative development fees aat typically line e pooches o commercial sharehauders.

Fyles a Scots skweel can noo stage a production for e price o the paper it’s prentit on, skwewls optin for staunart English plays are forced tae navigate an ee-watterin gauntlet o commercial licensin fees, performance royalties o up tae 15% o ticket sales, an script hire costs aat can exceed £600 per term.

E current reliance on e “shee-string” budget o £650,000 for e hale kintra pynts oot a system biggit on e gweedwill o creators raither nor robust institutional uphaudin.

Wi the Scottish Languages Act noo estaiblishin Scots as an official language, there is a pouerfu case for a radical shift in foo we fund oor national culture. We should be demandin aat 30% o the national drama budget be specifically ring-fenced for Scots for tae muive ayont a volunteer-led model an foster a truly dynamic, competitive mercat.

By investin properly in heich-quality Scots lairnin materials, plays, an beuks, Scotland can mak siccar aat its native languages are nae langer treated as budget efterthochts but as central, floorishin components o a modren education system aat serves students raither nor private English-language media sharehauders.