‘Watch TV comedy for school pupil training’

Education: MSPs told support staff caring for children with Asperger’s pointed to The Big Bang Theory

School workers tasked with looking after some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children were told to watch a comedy TV show for training, MSPs have been told.

Sylvia Haughney, a support for learning instructor, shocked Holyrood’s Education Committee by revealing one of her colleagues had been directed to episodes of The Big Bang Theory to learn how to deal with youngsters who have Asperger’s syndrome.

Sheldon Cooper, a character in the American sitcom, is seen by some as being affected by the condition.

Ms Haughney, a member of the Unison trade union in Glasgow, said of the start of her career: “Recently I was in a school and I asked a member of staff who was working specifically with a child with Asperger’s: ‘What training have you had in Asperger’s?’ ‘Oh, I was told to watch The Big Bang Theory.’

“That’s the level of training that we’ve got now in schools. I’ve got loads of examples that I could give of what’s happening and it’s the staffing and the training.”

In Angus 1,685, or 11.2%, of pupils, are assessed as having additional support needs. That figure is 3,438, or 19.1%, in Dundee city; 10,396, or 21.1%, in Fife; and 5,837, or 32.4%, in Perth and Kinross.

This includes youngsters whose first language is not English, as well as pupils with conditions such as autism, dyslexia and speech disorders.

Children can also be marked down as needing support if they are suffering from mental health problems.

Daniel Johnson, Labour’s education spokesman, said: “This is jaw-dropping. Watching a sitcom is no substitute for proper training for teachers.”

Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith added: “I think many parents and teachers will be shocked by this.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We want all children and young people to receive the support that they need to achieve their full learning potential.

“Education authorities have duties to identify, provide for and to review the additional support needs under the Additional Support for Learning Act, including those arising from autism.”

Glasgow Council sources said they were not aware of any learning support worker receiving the advice.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government was given a bloody nose last night as MSPs voted against plans to abolish the board of the Scottish Funding Council, the organisation responsible for allocating funding to universities and colleges.

Members from every opposition party rebelled against the SNP’s plans.

Tory MSP Liz Smith, who led the debate, said ministers had been “completely carried away with theory” without thinking about the practical implications of their proposals.

This is jawdropping. Watching a sitcom is no substitute for proper training for teachers. DANIEL JOHNSON MSP, LABOUR EDUCATION SPOKESMAN