SNP ‘fails to lead debate on schools for 2 years’
‘Questions in the chamber’
THE Nationalists have failed to lead a single debate on Scotland’s flagging education system for more than two years despite Nicola Sturgeon branding it her ‘top priority’.
The First Minister had pledged to improve standards in schools across the country.
Yet the Scottish Government has not led a discussion on education in Holyrood since November 2017, latest analysis shows.
Instead, ministers have continued to bring forward debates on another Scexit referendum and the UK’s departure from the EU.
On the final day at Holyrood before the Christmas break, the Government held a debate on the Referenrecruitment dums Bill, part of the SNP’s push for another independence vote.
Scottish Labour analysis shows the Government last led a debate on education in the Scottish parliament on November 2, 2017.
In June that year, it brought forward a discussion on ‘education governance next steps’ and in November 2016 debated a ‘consultation on a strategy for science, technology, engineering, mathematics education and training’.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: ‘It is extremely disappointing that the SNP claims education is its top priority, while its actions show the opposite.
‘It is time for the Education Secretary to face questions in the chamber about why his government has brought Scotland’s education system to its knees.’
The analysis comes amid a growing
crisis in schools, with 2,835 fewer teachers north of the Border than when the SNP came to power in 2007.
Meanwhile, Scotland has plunged down global education rankings, with performance in maths and science hitting a record low.
Earlier this month, it emerged one in four primary school children is failing to achieve expected standards in literacy and numeracy, amid a classroom recruitment crisis.
A Scottish Government report found the average primary school class size remains at 23.5 – the same it has been since 2016.
This is despite a key SNP manifesto pledge in 2007 to cut classes in the first three years to 18 pupils.
The figures also show the attainment gap between children in the most affluent and most deprived areas remains.
Despite growing concerns over failings in education, Miss Sturgeon has continued to push for a second independence referendum.
She has been criticised over her failure to tackle problems in the nation’s classrooms by opposition politicians at Holyrood – and even Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: ‘Teacher numbers have increased for the fourth year in a row, with primary teachers at their highest level since 1980.
‘Recent data shows increases in attainment across literacy and numeracy. We also know the attainment gap between the most and the least disadvantaged has narrowed.
‘I accept we need to deliver even greater improvement and I have always been happy to engage in constructive discussions with parties in the chamber.’