Silenced by ‘culture of fear’

A CULTURE of fear and secrecy is preventing Scotland’s teachers from speaking out about the crisis in the classroom, Nicola Sturgeon has been told.

The First Minister was yesterday challenged by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson after a primary teacher wrote an open letter to MSPs about their ‘impossible job’.

The teacher also claimed staff in schools only tell ministers what they want to hear during visits because of a fear of repercussions.

She said a colleague was to meet Education Secretary John Swinney to share their concerns but cancelled after being told by a line manager they would face disciplinary action.

Raising the letter, sent to Mr Swinney and copied to all MSPs, Miss Davidson said: ‘I think that the transparency and openness of government is a serious issue, which is worth highlighting. As the teacher says in the letter, their issue is not just about resources, but about workforce planning, a failure to implement policy properly and a failure to listen to people on the front line.’

She added: ‘It is about a culture of fear and secrecy, which is stopping people from speaking out.’

But Miss Sturgeon insisted ‘nobody should feel unable to come to me or to the Education Secretary to raise concerns at any time’.

She said: ‘It’s not acceptable for local authorities to say to any teacher or any member of staff… they will be disciplined if they approach or raise concerns with government ministers. I cannot be any clearer about that.’