The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Councillors attack schools shake-up plan
Highland councillors have railed against plans for a radical schools shake-up that could see head teachers handed significant control of budgets.
Cabinet Secretary John Swinney wants to grant schools “sweeping new powers” including responsibility for raising attainment, choosing staff, deciding curricular content – and with direct control of a portion of the finances.
Highland education director Bill Alexander warned councillors that the moves could “confuse responsibility and accountability” of school management.
They divided along party lines, with opposition SNP members backing the minister’s ideas while others warned of serious consequences if implemented – and won a vote on the issue, 43-22.
Education chairman Alasdair Christie claimed the proposals lacked detail.
SNP councillor Graham MacKenzie, a former Dingwall Academy rector, said the reforms would guarantee schools and parent councils more control.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government warned last night that “evidence shows the status quo is not an option.”
She said: “By putting power into the hands of headteachers, we’re giving the people best placed to improve education the resources and control they need.
“Councils will, however, retain a key role in providing educational support services including payroll and HR, and in providing democratic accountability for the number of schools in an area and the selection of headteachers.”