Cost-cuts on teachers branded ‘crazy’ waste

DUNDEE City Council expects to save £370,000 a year by scrapping principal teacher roles in high schools.

However, Labour Lochee councillor Michael Marra has warned the “real cost” will be the impact the move has on secondary education in the city.

Dundee City Council wants to introduce a new “faculty” system in its eight high schools which sees principal teacher roles axed and new curriculum leaders appointed.

Curriculum leaders will be responsible for groups of subjects.

There are 191 principal teachers in Dundee’s eight high schools but there will only be eight curriculum leaders in each school if the new system goes ahead, although larger schools may have more.

In a response to a Freedom of Information request, Dundee City Council has said the move will save the council £370,000 a year, although teaching union the EIS has warned the wage bill would actually increase while the new system is implemented.

The council’s response states: “It is envisaged that once fully implemented the revised structures will save in the region of £370,000 per annum.

“The nature of faculties in each school is still under discussion following a consultation exercise with key stakeholders within each school community.”

Mr Marra described the creation of faculties as “wasteful”.

He said: “We know that there will, of course, be initial increases in costs as a result of the wasteful imposition of faculties.

“That would be a double blow for Dundee as the Scottish Government has agreed to a new teacher career pathway and the costs of a further transition will have to be met. It’s a crazy situation.”

Dundee City Council failed to comment when asked.

Councillor Michael Marra