MSP wades into controversy over advertising in schools

Perth Council officials should end discussions with head teachers about selling advertising space in school, the SNP MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire has said.

Roseanna Cunningham has spoken out against the idea after it was revealed education bosses were considering raising it with schools and head teachers as a way to bring in extra cash because other avenues, such as the side of vehicles, had failed to attract interest.

She said: “I have been contacted by constituents very exercised at reports that Perth and Kinross Council are looking at the possibility of selling advertising space in local schools.

“There is genuine anger at these plans, and understandably so. Children and their parents are bombarded by advertising everywhere they turn these days and, until now, our schools have been a haven from that pressure. We want children to regard schools as places where the information they receive can be totally trusted.”

She added: “I really do not think that there is any place for commercial advertising in our schools. The council really must think again and ditch this idea.”

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “During the meeting, where councillors were updated on the sponsorship of council assets, which includes adverts on roundabouts and fleet vehicles, the possibility of advertising in schools was mentioned.

“This has not been explored in any detail and was purely mentioned as a possibility for further exploration. If this was to be considered further, it would only be after risk assessments and consideration of all impacts.”