EDUCATION is one of the biggest services the city which the council delivers and one the most contested issues for the parties seeking election.

Glasgow is responsible for with Secondary schools, primaries, ASL schools and units and nurseries across the city.

The city has had stubborn exam results towards the bottom of the national table for decades.

Improvements have been made among the schools with the lowest passes, which are mostly in the more deprived areas, but with the more affluent areas also improving the significant gap between the most and the least well off remains.

At a national level the Scottish Government has put in place the attainment fund giving money to head teachers for initiatives to improve results but it is still the council that is responsible for the running schools at a local level.

The two main parties say they have big plans for education.

Labour said it has delivered on previous promises and said it has plans to go further.

It highlights the refurbishment and rebuilding programme across the city’s primary schools which is still on going and it plans to spend £20m on improving playgrounds.

Frank McAveety, leader of the Labour led council, said: “We have a big commitment on what I call the schools revolution. We’ve delivered on the school estate, we will be investing on the sustainability of the teaching staff and the general attainment in our city. So the next big challenge I the digital revolution.”

The SNP want to review catchment areas of schools and review the PPP arrangements. It also wants to improve wi-fi and broadband connections ion schools. Its manifesto commitments also include improving school playgrounds, spending £19m.

Fergal Dalton education spokesman for SNP in Glasgow said: “We have great nurseries, schools, colleges and universities driven by the professionalism of our teachers the energy of our young people. But Glasgow needs to harness this energy better.”

Both Labour and SNP will comply with Scottish Government requirement to maintain teacher numbers and deliver the pledge to increase free childcare

The Greens said they want to invest in more teachers and support staff in the city’s schools

Tanya Wisely, Green candidate in Langside, said: “Greens believe the real need in education is for enhanced and increased staffing, not restructuring and short term cash injections. Teachers need time, stability and support so they can focus on their pupils and deliver the inclusive inspiring schooling that all Glasgow’s children and young people deserve.”

The Conservatives want to increase the role of parents and teachers in decision making in education and allow schools to be run outwith council control if that’s what communities want.

The Liberal Democrats want more cash invested in education and nationally have called for taxes to be raised to fund a £500m pupil premium policy to spend on improving attainment.