Criticism of SNP was justified, says leader
Councillor defendsTory leaflet blasting education
The leader of Perth and Kinross Council has slammed the SNP’s record on education as “poor” and says “to suggest otherwise is nonsense.”
Cllr Murray Lyle was responding to a local by-election SNP candidate who sought clarification on statements made within a Conservative candidate’s campaign literature.
Ian Massie questioned why Conservatives were criticising educational attainment when a recent PKC report outlined improvements in Perth and Kinross schools under a council led by Conservatives.
The by-elections for Perth City North and Perth City South are currently scheduled to take place on November 26.
The SNP candidate for the Perth City North ward wrote to Cllr Lyle seeking clarification.
And the Conservative leader has responded with a further swipe at the Scottish Government. He said Perth and Kinross Council’s performance in education was good “considering the well documented problems there have been with the Curriculum for Excellence.”
Cllr Lyle said pupils across Scotland were falling behind in Maths and Science under the SNP.
Mr Massie hopes to become the SNP elected member for Perth City North following Dave Doogan’s departure to Westminster.
Mr Massie’s letter to Cllr Lyle quoted a recent PKC report which said: “It is evident that the Raising Attainment Strategy has facilitated improved outcomes for children and young people... Steady long term progress in Curriculum for Excellence levels is shown across all stages and areas; a steady rise in breadth and depth of leavers’ attainment and positive destinations with above national averages; (and) early indications of poverty gaps closing across the Broad General Education.”
Mr Massie said he was disappointed to see Conservative campaign literature for Conservative candidate for Perth City South - Andy Chan - say the Scottish Government had not been “delivering the highest standards” and “it is vital that the issues of basic literacy and numeracy... are all properly addressed.”
He condemned the Conservative administration for overlooking its role in administration and said it “plays politics with one of the most important parts of the fabric of our communities.”
The PKC paper quoted by Mr Massie did in fact also cite issues in the region’s schools with boys’ attainment, rising pupil absence rates and writing and numeracy levels being lower than those in reading, listening and talking.
The report stated: “Although it is evident that there have been many improvements and successes, it is clear that there is more work to be done to raise the bar and close the gaps for all, in a number of key areas.”
Cllr Lyle responded to Mr Massie’s letter by praising the progress made in Perth and Kinross schools but called on the Scottish Government to do more.
“Perth and Kinross Council’s education record is a good one - considering the well documented problems there have been with the Curriculum for Excellence,” said Cllr Lyle.
“I know how well served we are by our dedicated teachers and school staff and the progress being made by schools is something we are proud of.
“However, we will continue to strive to raise standards across all our schools and ensure all children and young people have the very best opportunities.
“That drive to raise standards, especially in literacy and numeracy is something we should all welcome and encourage.”
He added: “The SNP Government’s record on education has been poor – to suggest otherwise is nonsense.
“National rankings, produced in December last year, showed that pupils in Scotland were falling behind in Maths and Science and we saw the dramatic U-turn from Education Minister John Swinney on the exams debacle this summer and a suggestion that school exams set for next year may also be cancelled due to COVID-19.”