Council staff to replace 60 axed teachers

Friday 17 December 2010

Council staff to replace 60 axed teachers

Renfrewshire Council is planning to axe 60 teachers and replace them with non-teaching council employees.

The move, which could save the council £800,000, would see primary children spend up to 2.5 hours a week with someone who is not a qualified teacher.

Opponents claim it could result in youngsters having their teachers replaced by non-teaching volunteers in some cases.

Councillor Jim Harte, Renfrewshire Labour’s education spokesman, said: “The word disgrace is often overused but there is no other word to describe this proposal. How can the SNP-LibDem administration think that the quality of our children’s education will be enhanced by removing teachers for 10% of the school week. “You get one chance at primary education, we shouldn’t be gambling with our children’s future nor should we be using them as guinea pigs. “Parents and teachers will share my anger and astonishment at this cut to primary education. Councillor Lorraine Cameron, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education Policy Board, said: “It is completely untrue to suggest Renfrewshire is replacing teachers with volunteers.” But she later admitted that some volunteers could be used, adding: “They would work with the children on local and national priorities such as citizenship, promoting better health, and encouraging participation in sport and cultural activity. “It’s likely around 60 teaching posts would go by voluntary agreement. “There would be a saving of possibly around £800,000.”

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.