SCOTLAND’S EDUCATION IMPROVING UNDER SNP

Attn: NEWSDESKS



POLITICAL / EDUCATION CORRESPONDENTS


OPPOSITION IGNORING EDUCATION SUCCESS


The SNP will use a Parliamentary debate tomorrow to highlight the progress made in education since the election of an SNP Government in 2007.


Over the last three years


• class sizes have fallen to their lowest ever


• 330 schools have been refurbished or rebuilt – more than in any other parliamentary term


• Scotland’s pupils have achieved record high pass rates in Higher exams


• the principle of free education has been restored


• funding for student support has been increased


• protection has been put in place for closure threatened schools


• probationer teachers are given support to teach in rural or remote schools


• councils have agreed to ensure there are employment opportunities for post-probationers


• Curriculum for Excellence and the Scottish baccalaureate have been successfully introduced


• 20,000 apprenticeship places have been made available this year


• The provision of free school meals has been extended


• 20% increase in nursery provision


• Additional Support for learning has been extended and improved



Commenting ahead of a typically negative Labour debate aimed at talking down Scottish education SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, Deputy Convener of the Education Committee said:


“The SNP has a strong record of achievement in education and we welcome the opportunity to debate the real improvements made in Scottish education since 2007 in stark contrast to the problems built up under Labour. Where Labour want to talk down the achievements of our schools and pupils the SNP knows that by working together we have made real steps forward over this Parliament.


“Class sizes are at a record low, exam results are at a high and over 120,000 more of our pupils now go to school in new or refurbished buildings.


“The SNP has returned the principle of free education, increased support for full, part time and post graduate students, increased the number of apprenticeships to 20,000 this year and backed Scotland’s colleges to help people through the recession with more training places.


“Where there have been problems with councils failing to employ post probationer teachers we now have a new agreement with councils to ensure there are sufficient employment opportunities to help teachers start work in classrooms and we have ensured that parents and pupils have rights when councils threaten their schools with closure.


“And under the SNP nursery provision has increased, £5 million is to be invested in early intervention in early years, free school meals have been extended to thousands more children and the rights of those who need additional support for learning have been improved.


“And this has been achieved in the face of relentless negativity from opposition parties who would rather talk down Scottish education than celebrate and build on our successes. As the SNP goes forward to this year’s Scottish elections we have a track record of delivery in education that has helped parents, teachers, students and most importantly pupils and it is one we will continue to build on.”


ENDS