Councillor Tom Johnston slams Labour over school class sizes

Mar 10 2010

SIR - Despite the recession, the SNP minority government are pushing for a class size maximum of 18 in primaries 1-3.

Three-quarters of local authorities will reach this for 20 per cent of their P1-P3 classes by August. Areas of social deprivation are to be given priority.

With its massive deprivation, North Lanarkshire is heading in the opposite direction.

In 2008-09 our council had 24.4 per cent of P1-P3 pupils in classes under 18. This year it is 16.5 per cent.

The current school and nursery closure plans would cram more pupils into fewer classrooms. More school closures and cramming is being sought in November. Labour-ruled North Lanarkshire Council stipulates classes of 25, P1-P3.

Most other councils will pass North Lanarkshire by. Socially deprived authorities that are SNP-led are cutting their P1-P3’s to under 18. Dundee will reach 26 per cent in August and West Lothian and West Dunbarton will surpass 20 per cent.

Is North Lanarkshire Labour more interested in undermining the SNP Government than in helping our most vulnerable children?

Privately-run UK schools have a class average of 12 (OCED Annual Education Report, 2008). Doesn’t this tell us everything?

Councillor Tom Johnston, SNP Group Learning and Leisure Spokesperson, North Lanarkshire Council.