Address the problem of class sizes

Dear Editor I read the rant by Alison Laurie, in last week’s Observer (June 28) and wondered if this an indication of what to expect in the future from this newlyelected SNP councillor for Stirling East.

Her sweeping statement about “toxic” Tory opposition is both offensive to many hardworking Tory councillors and to the large number of constituents who voted for them.

Her comments also demonstrate a complete lack of respect to the many people in Stirling with opposing views to her and her party.

To say that these councillors could “all step down” when they have been democratically elected ,and that their salaries are not earned, is quite nonsensical and absurd.

I, and many other people ,would have significant concerns about SNP having free rein to run the council, so we willingly contribute to both Labour and Conservative councillors’ salaries!

Education standards continue to decline and,as we have seen from the most recent set of stats , there is now a reduction in number of schoolchildren achieving Nat 5 in maths.

Many primary school children locally will have the misfortune of returning to schools after the holidays to class sizes of 30-plus, well above the national average of 23.5 , unless receiving their education through Gaelic Medium at Riverside Primary School .

At this school, 62 pupils are educated by 3.6 teachers with 75 per cent of the salary bill funded by Scottish Government.

Insufficient subject teachers at secondary level also result in large classes as well as lack of subject choice and the possibility of sharing a class with others who may be studying the same subject, but at different levels.

John Swinney can introduce reform after reform but there will be no significant and sustainable improvement in standards until the Curriculum for Excellence is revised and sufficient numbers of teachers recruited.

Whilst the council cannot change the curriculum, the Scottish Government has stated categorically that teacher recruitment and numbers are the responsibility of the council.

It is imperative, therefore, that the SNP/Labour Administration of Stirling Council , since it is their responsibility, take the shortage of teachers and its impact very seriously. It should make it an absolute priority to attract and retain an adequate number of primary and secondary school teachers before the situation worsens even further for our children.

Name and address supplied, By email