Schools ‘to drop PE and music lessons’
Subjects face axe as councils slash class budgets
SCHOOLS may be forced to drop some subjects from curriculums as part of efforts to slash millions from council education budgets.
‘Savage’ cost-cutting measures proposed for the new financial year include reducing the number of teachers and teaching assistants, and even increasing class sizes – in defiance of Scottish Government policy.
Although plans have yet to be finalised, sources have told the Scottish Mail on Sunday that some schools may have to limit the number of classes they can offer, with ‘non-core’ subjects most at risk – music, drama, art, PE and even some languages.
But politicians and teaching unions warn that shrinking the curriculum will jeopardise the integrity of pupils’ education.
Other cost-cutting proposals include raising the cost of school meals and losing lollipop and cleaning staff.
Local authorities believe the measures – outlined in official consultation papers for councils’ 2018/19 budgets – will save them tens of millions of pounds.
The SNP Budget outlined by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay this month left councils predicting a funding black hole of £500 million.
Last night, Tory education spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘It should not be the case that Scottish pupils should have to suffer because of SNP mismanagement of the economy.
‘The SNP’s decision to slash funding to local authorities will inevitably have a detrimental effect on education. In some cases, this has meant
‘A devastating effect on our children’
cuts to teacher numbers and support staff and there is also evidence that subject provision is being cut.’
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said: ‘These cuts can only be described as savage and they will undoubtedly have a devastating effect not only on educational provision, but on the health and welfare of our children.’
East Renfrewshire and Clackmannanshire councils have suggested dropping subjects to save money.
Calling the situation ‘extremely challenging’, officials in East Renfrewshire outlined more than £5 million worth of cuts, stating: ‘It could result in fewer courses being made available in secondary schools; class sizes could increase in primary and secondary and, in terms of the resources available, such as classroom materials, there would be a reduction.’ Clackmannanshire officials said they could slash more than £300,000 with a plan to ‘reduce secondary school subject choices’.
Education insiders believe so-called ‘soft’ subjects such as music, art and drama could be affected, along with subjects with smaller class sizes, including less-popular languages.
East Renfrewshire may also have removed ‘pupil support assistants’ by the end of next year.
Clackmannanshire Council also suggested axing breakfast clubs for children with working parents, as did Falkirk and Inverclyde councils.
Aberdeenshire officials tabled plans to reduce the number of central teaching posts, while Midlothian Council proposed cutting the number of learning assistants by 10 per cent.
A number of councils – including Midlothian and East Ayrshire – proposed raising the price of school meals, while South Ayrshire Council said removing all school crossing patrols could save £128,383.
City of Edinburgh Council said slashing home to school transport services would save £400,000.
Local authorities say any cuts are ‘painful but necessary’.
Council umbrella organisation Cosla said councils need an additional £545 million to maintain services.
East Renfrewshire Council said: ‘Throughout this difficult process the needs of those in our communities who are most vulnerable will continue to be our core focus. No decisions have been made on proposed service changes.’
South Ayrshire said: ‘No saving proposals have been confirmed. Some might be painful but are necessary.’
THE First Minister has fine words to spare when it comes to talking about her determination to ensure Scotland has a first-class education system.
But behind Nicola Sturgeon’s insistence that improving standards in schools is a key priority for her Government lies the depressing reality that, under the SNP, pupils are being cruelly let down.
Staffing crises and the chaotic introduction of the controversial Curriculum for Excellence have made life unnecessarily difficult for young Scots.
Ms Sturgeon’s Education Secretary John Swinney was appointed because she believed in his ability to turn round a failing system.
But more than 18 months after Mr Swinney took charge of education, it has emerged that funding cuts mean some councils are now considering dropping subjects, including drama, PE, and even some languages. Cuts which prevent schools from offering the widest range of subjects are cuts too far.
If Nicola Sturgeon truly believes in transforming Scotland’s education system for the better, she won’t do it by overseeing budget cutbacks that force schools to limit the subjects they’re able to teach.