SAVE OUR TEACHERS – HELP OUR KIDS

Wednesday, 9th December 2009

- MPs and MSPs call on Council Rethink -

MPs and MSPs say the crisis in teacher numbers means there must be a rethink in Renfrewshire at the next Council meeting.

Renfrewshire has axed 210 teachers, now has the worst pupil teacher ratios in the whole of Scotland and has cut £2.5 million from local school budgets this year.

Our children should not face the steepest cuts in teacher numbers relative to our population anywhere in Scotland.

The MPs and MSPs are demanding a rethink. They propose Renfrewshire should

Wendy Alexander MSP said
“We need to stop leaving posts vacant when teachers leave in Renfrewshire. I think it is disgraceful that the Council are running so scared on their treatment of ex probationers that they will not even allow the Director of Education to prepare a report for councillors on the current situation. They must now agree to a full review of the treatment of newly qualified teachers. The stories are heart rendering. Only 4 out of 320 probationers employed in the last 2 years have been offered full time permanent jobs in Renfrewshire. The problem will not be solved by simply sweeping it under the carpet and pretending it is not happening.”

Hugh Henry MSP said
“Axing one dedicated and committed teacher is bad enough but axing 210 is appalling. Teachers, pupils and parents in Renfrewshire deserve better.
The manifesto commitments made by the SNP Government on education are failing and the slashing of £2.5m from the education budget by Renfrewshire Council is disgraceful”

Douglas Alexander MP said
“Here in Renfrewshire, Labour’s record is one of investment – in new schools like Todholm Primary and St Andrews Academy. In contrast, these latest teacher numbers confirm the SNP’s record of shame – with 210 teachers lost here in Renfrewshire in the last year alone. It’s just not good enough. SNP led Renfrewshire Council must do better.”