Call for cash to aid city’s schools as they return
MORE money and greater detail on plans to re-open in August are needed in Glasgow schools, Education Secretary John Swinney has been told.
Glasgow Labour’s education spokeswoman Soryia Siddique has sent a letter to Swinney, the deputy first minister, calling for extra cash.
She states “new” and “sustained” funding is needed to address the
“now widened attainment gap” – the difference in educational performance between the richest and poorest pupils.
The letter also asks for more information on returning to schools in August, including the scientific evidence behind the decision and details on the test, trace and isolate strategy for education facilities.
Councillor Siddique has requested engagement with parents and carers from all socio-economic backgrounds, including “our most diverse communities that are most impacted by inequality”, as well as unions and teaching staff.
She has asked for clarity on the requirement of PPE, and to be assured there is a continued supply.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The plan for a fulltime return to schools is conditional on infection rates being sufficiently low to continue to suppress the virus, public health and testing systems being in place, risk assessments being carried out in schools and protective measures, including the use of PPE where appropriate, being in place.
“We recognise that the disruption and challenges caused by the pandemic are hitting children from disadvantaged backgrounds particularly hard and we have been encouraging schools to target support where it is most needed.”
She added local authorities are being given the flexibility “to redirect resources aimed at closing the attainment gap”, including £250m for Pupil Equity Funding over the next two years.