A SCHEME that could move accountability for Glasgow education standards out of the city has been put on hold.

Education Secretary John Swinney set out plans saying councils should form Regional Education Collaboratives.

The eight Glasgow City Region councils devised a new structure that would affect more than one third of Scotland’s school pupils.

However, yesterday at an executive committee meeting councillors voted 12 to 11 to remit the proposals to the Education Committee.

The move followed a request for an amendment from the Green Party’s Martin Bartos, amid claims the plans would mean Glasgow has no local scrutiny over schools.

Green education spokesperson Tanya Wisely said: “Greens support the principle of councils collaborating voluntarily on educational improvement but we’re concerned about a rush to introduce region-level governance before Glasgow’s own Education Committee has even been set up.

“Surely Glasgow’s councillors should first agree how we want to govern education locally before signing anything away to new regional power structures with no obvious plans for local oversight?

“These plans were overwhelmingly rejected in the recent public consultations and we are very concerned about any moves which could impair local accountability.”

New plans would see West Partnership of East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire form a Regional Collaborative. The city region is home to more than one third of Scotland’s school pupils.

Mr Swinney said there should be a Regional Director appointed by the Scottish Government to report to the Chief Executive of Education Scotland but councils will appoint their own Regional Lead Officer chosen by the chief executives.

Soryia Siddique, Labour spokeswoman for schools and further education, said: “A collaborative education approach can be positive.

“Glasgow City Council retaining accountability and responsibility for education is to be welcomed as it assures local democracy.

“It is important we build on the decades of focus and achievements in improving life chances for our young learners.

“However, an inclusive and transparent decision making process with scrutiny from a Glasgow City Council committee is key before a significant direction of travel is confirmed.

“Let’s also work with parent councils, communities and schools in making key decisions impacting our young learners.”

Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills and Early Years, said: “Glasgow is committed to providing the very best education to our children and will always look at innovative ways in which to achieve this.

“The committee paper tabled yesterday is ultimately about improving the life chances and education outcomes of every Glasgow pupil and enhancing collaborative partnerships within a structure that already exists.

"A structure that’s already been meeting and exploring ways in which they can share good practice and improve education and already agreed by other councils in the city region.

“My colleagues on the executive committee agreed in principle to the proposal for education collaboration across the city region working together across the eight local authorities to raise attainment and achievement and in response to the Scottish Government’s recent education governance review.

“What they are wanting is further clarification and discussion and more detail on the governance and terms of reference of the new model – something that we said we were committed to facilitating."

Mr Cunningham added: “A review of the council’s democratic structures, to better reflect the political make-up of the authority and strengthen the scrutiny role of our elected members, was agreed at the first full council of the new term.

"The first stage is nearing completion. It will go to full council for approval on September 14.

"The date for the first education committee will be agreed after that.”