Dugdale hits out over ‘lost generation’ of failed pupils
‘Children not getting education they need’
A ‘LOST generation’ of Scots school pupils is being failed because of Nicola Sturgeon’s independence obsession, according to Kezia Dugdale.
The Scottish Labour leader highlighted a raft of damning figures which show the problems in Scottish education.
She claimed there are now 4,000 fewer teachers, and 1,000 fewer support staff than when the SNP took power in 2007.
She also claimed that there are 700 vacancies in schools, which will take at least three years to fill, class sizes are among the highest in the developed world and that the reading and writing gap between the richest pupils and the rest has not narrowed.
She added that literacy standards across the board have slumped since 2012, while attainment in maths is also falling.
She said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon claims education is her top priority – but these figures prove all she cares about is independence. During the SNP’s decade of division, we have seen nothing but declining standards and growing class sizes.
‘SNP neglect has led to a lost generation of Scottish children who are not getting the education they need and deserve.’
The Scottish Government’s reputation on education lies in tatters after a week packed with damning revelations.
Scots headteacher Isabel Marshall said she was quitting the profession because she is ‘emotionally and physically exhausted’ and lashed out at funding cuts and soaring indiscipline, in a written submission before appearing before MSPs.
A Scottish Government report then revealed school literacy standards were plunging, with fewer than half of 13 and 14-year-olds performing well.
MSPs were told teachers were entering the classroom with such poor numeracy skills that they are unable to teach maths to primary pupils.
Miss Sturgeon has insisted education is her main priority. Yet figures out last week showed her government spent more time debating the constitution than education, health, justice and transport combined.
Tommy Sheppard, SNP candidate for Edinburgh East, said: ‘Kezia Dugdale has zero credibility on this – it is her Labour colleagues in councils across Scotland who have been the worst offenders when it comes to failing to recruit teachers.
‘Teacher numbers are now on the rise and the SNP Government is investing additional funding for new teachers – as well as getting extra money directly to schools and head teachers to help drive up attainment.’