CROWDS GATHERED TO PROTEST TEACHER CUTS FOR SECOND TIME THIS WEEK

added: “We are clear that Glasgow schools cannot take any more cuts to teacher numbers, because we are on our knees as it is.”

Unions also protested outside the city chambers on Tuesday. During the council meeting, Cllr Jill Pidgeon, Labour, questioned education convener, Cllr Christina Cannon, SNP, over the cuts.

Cllr Cannon said the education savings must be placed “within the context of the constant fluidity around staffing in schools”.

“Teacher numbers are never static and they change every year based on the number of pupils in each school.

“It is worth restating that Glasgow City Council continues to have a no compulsory redundancy policy so no current member of staff will be forced to leave the council.”

She said there would be a “likely reduction in teacher numbers of around 172 in 2024/ 25” to achieve a saving of £ 6.75m. “This figure will be achieved through a change to the staffing formula and may be met through normal staff turnover.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The annual school staffing exercise takes place each year between January and the summer and changes take place in line with school roll fluctuations.

“This year the staffing formulas will also reflect the service reforms as part of the council’s budget set in February that required £ 108m of savings from council services over the next three years.

“There will be no compulsory redundancies and any school staff declared surplus due to a declining school roll will be redeployed or savings met through normal school turnover it is just too early to highlight specifics at this stage of the process.”

She added: “At every stage we will do everything we can to minimise any impact but in the current financial climate the council must look at every option.

“What is not helpful for our families, pupils and staff is to be subjected to alarmist and inaccurate information about learning and t e a c h i n g in the city and our schools will keep their families reassured and informed.” L a b o u r group leader Cllr George Redmond asked Cllr Ricky Bell, city treasurer, about a potential cut to the MCR Pathways mentoring scheme.

Cllr Bell said there will be a review of the delivery model used by the council for the past 10 years with a view to identifying potential efficiencies”.

“No decisions have been taken and no decisions will be taken until this matter is considered by the cross- party budget working group,” he said, adding there has been a “very good meeting” with MCR Pathways.

The working group is set to meet after the council’s Easter recess period.