Thousands more pupils in Moray would be eligible for free school meals along with more than half of local school buildings in line for improvements under plans from Douglas Ross and the Scottish Conservatives.
The party launched a new education policy paper on Friday which also contained a pledge to restore 3,000 teachers lost since the SNP came to power in 2007.
The offer of free school meals would be expanded to cover all children at both breakfast and lunchtime.
The proposals also committed to improving schools currently rated as being in ‘poor or bad’ condition by the end of the next parliamentary term.
That would apply to 29 of the 53 schools in Moray – more than 54%.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“Scottish Conservative policies on education would bring huge benefits to Moray.
“We have known for some time now that many of our school buildings have fallen into a poor condition.
“This is a direct result of insufficient funding from the SNP government in Edinburgh.
“The Scottish Conservatives would restore our schools – by investing in buildings and recruiting thousands more teachers.
“We are also proposing to expand the provision of free school meals because studies have consistently shown that well fed children engage better with lessons.
“These plans would make free school meals available to an additional 3,614 young people in Moray.
“We want to make sure that every child in Scotland has the best chance and the best start in life. I got a great education here in Moray and I want to ensure those opportunities are shared by the current and next generation of Moray school pupils.”