Public meeting to discuss cuts

Members of the public will have the chance to discuss proposed cuts to Fife’s education budget at a meeting in Glenrothes next week.

The EIS teaching union is opposed to the suggested savings, which include a reduction in the length of the school day, fewer guidance teachers and promoted teachers and larger class sizes.

Some subjects could also be removed from the curriculum if they are considered “uneconomic”, leading to reduced choice for children.

There are also fears that class teachers could face a greater workload as management responsibilities are potentially shifted on to unpromoted staff.

According to the EIS, this will lead to increased stress, higher absenteeism and more children being taught by cover teachers.

Fife Council officers have put forward a number of suggestions for how the books might be balanced but the administration has made it clear none of the proposed savings is guaranteed to become policy.

A final decision will be made at a budget meeting later this month.

The public meeting at Rothes Halls on Wednesday will include a presentation by North East Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie and EIS national president Alison Thornton.

EIS area officer Stuart Brown will also speak.

The meeting in Hall B starts at 7pm.