Scottish education: why must our children pay?

Submitted by Matthew on 5 March, 2010 - 2:54 Author: Dale Street

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the Scottish teachers’ union, has called a march and rally in Glasgow on Saturday 6 March under the slogans “Why Must Our Children Pay? Invest in Their Education!”

Like other services in the public sector, education in Scotland is threatened with major cuts in spending as the Westminster government attempts to make public sector workers and public services consumers pick up the tab for bailing out the banks.

There are already 2,500 fewer teachers in classrooms than there were just two years ago. The number of teaching support staff has also been cut, along with the number of students who are to be trained to become teachers.

These cutbacks are already impacting on working conditions in schools and the ability of teachers to deliver a quality education.

In a recent survey carried out by the EIS, examples provided by members included: a lack of funds to buy classroom resources; misuse of probationary teachers; lack of supply cover for sick staff; insufficient professional development for teachers; increasing class sizes; and insufficient funds to heat schools.

To these issues must be added the wave of school closures which have been carried out by councils across Scotland, especially Glasgow City Council.

Such cutbacks are already taking place even before the next government — irrespective of whether it is Labour or Tory — launches a major assault on public spending.

The SNP will denounce such cutbacks by the Westminster government and use them to try to boost support for their demand for independence. But an SNP government would not behave any differently. Its record in Holyrood has already proven that.

The EIS needs to follow up the rally and march by linking up with other public sector trade unions to organise a united fightback in defence of public services.

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