The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
‘Extend school week so pupils catch up’
Pupils need eight extra hours of tuition a week for two years to make up for lessons lost during the coronavirus lockdown, a think tank has said.
The Commission on School Reform had previously claimed six hours would be needed to repair the educational damage.
A new report from the group, which is made up of education academics and is part of Reform Scotland, says further school closures mean extra catch-up work is needed.
Lindsay Paterson, professor of education policy at Edinburgh University and a member of the commission, updated the group’s research from July last year.
Prof Paterson suggested eight extra hours of tuition per week for two years, or five hours per week over three years.
This would be completed by extra hours lessons in the later afternoons, he said, while also calling for additional funding.
Prof Paterson said: “Children in Scotland will have lost around four months of schooling since March – that’s around 40% of a normal school year.
“Although thousands of teachers have been providing good quality online learning and parents have done the best they can, the closures have led to a massive loss of learning.
“Many children will have actually gone backwards because such interruptions can lead to them forgetting what they have learnt before.
“With an end to closures now in sight, it is time to turn our attention to how to recover the learning that has been lost.
“We estimate it at 16 weeks and have suggested an eight-hour extension to the school week for two years, or a five-hour extension over three years.”
Ayoung mum has described life in a Dundee multi as a “nightmare” as she regularly finds used needles and blood on the walls of her block.
Shania Guild, who lives with baby Dakota and partner Dale Russell, 25, in Adamson Court, has said the behaviour of other residents and trespassers is making her life hell.
Her plight has led to Councillor Charlie Malone pledging to call a meeting in a bid to address the issues at the Lochee block, which has seen used drug paraphernalia a consistent sight in the area.
The situation has become so bad that Shania, 20, hasn’t left the house for two weeks.
She said: “I am terrified for my own safety and that of my baby daughter.
“Life around here is a nightmare and I am so scared I haven’t left the flat in two weeks.
“I’ve not been to the shops or even to the bin chute.
“I am getting desperate. I shouldn’t have to live like this. I am really, really scared and my anxiety is getting worse.
“When you go on to the stairwells there are dirty, used needles, all over the floors with tin foil, teaspoons and capsules lying all around.
“There is blood up the walls and urine and vomit everywhere.
“I have lived here for nine months now and it is getting worse.
“I suffer from anxiety as it is and this is just pushing me over the edge. I’m so afraid for me and my baby’s safety.”
As well as the constant stream of litter lying around the close, there has also been a fire in the bin chute in recent weeks, with all residents being evacuated.
Shania added: “That was really frightening. There have been lots of other occasions lately when people have been banging on our door late at night while under the influence of drugs and I don’t know what to do.
“I am desperate out of here.
“I don’t want my little girl growing up here. It is just not safe.
“I have spoken to the concierge but he admitted he was limited in what he could do, and my local family health nurse has also been trying to help but she can’t do much about my housing situation.
“I have also had interventions from social work but they have told me to get that nothing can be done to get us a new house because they are very busy just now trying to find houses for homeless people affected by Covid.”
Mr Malone, councillor for Lochee, has pledged to help Shania and her fellow residents in the Lochee multi.
He said: “It’s absolutely shocking seeing the pictures of drug paraphernalia in Adamson Court.
“No family should have to tolerate the destruction of what should be a safe living space.
“I expressed my concerns about the lack of security when the decision was taken to remove night shift, concierge staff.
“We, as councillors, were told that the replacement rapid response facilities with enhanced CCTV would increase security.
“What this case and too many others in the Lochee multis demonstrates is that this is failing.
“I will be writing to officers asking for a meeting of key stakeholders including the police to review the safety of residents living in multis.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “We take all allegations of antisocial behaviour very seriously.
“Anyone with any concerns should contact the council directly to discuss a matter with an officer.
“We would always encourage any individual who wants to discuss their rehousing application to contact our lettings centre directly.
“We can also provide housing support to assist tenants during this period.”
The first minister says she hopes to “take headon some of the ridiculous suggestions” around the Alex Salmond affair when she appears before the committee investigating the handling of complaints made against him.
Nicola Sturgeon has faced fresh questions over whether she misled Scotland’s highest civil court on the basis of information provided on when she first learned of sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor.
The first minister gave the Scottish Parliament a date of April 2 2018, which has previously led to claims she misled parliament, which she denies.
It was revealed on Saturday that Ms Sturgeon’s initial version of events were included in formal written submissions to the Court of Session during Mr Salmond’s successful civil case against the government’s botched probe.
Ms Sturgeon is scheduled to appear before the committee on February 16, but has had three previously scheduled appearances postponed.
Asked about the allegations she misled the civil court, the first minister said she rejected them “absolutely”.
She added: “I look forward to getting the opportunity at long last to appear before the committee of inquiry.
“I very much hope that will be next week. I am willing to answer all and any questions put to me by that committee including on the topic that you have just asked me.
“In addition to answering all and any questions, I perhaps will also get the opportunity to take head-on some of the ridiculous suggestions that have been made about this whole situation.”