Scottish Labour today accused the SNP of causing a “crisis” in Scottish schools, after a new report showed that children in almost two-thirds of schools have had their education damaged by swingeing budget cuts over the past year.

The study, carried out by the Educational Institute of Scotland, shows that teachers in 19 out of 32 council areas reported that massive cuts in classroom spending is harming children's education.

Rhona Brankin, Scottish Labour’s education spokesperson, said:

“Right across Scotland, hundreds of teaching posts have been cut, class sizes in secondary schools are up, and learning support posts have been slashed.

“SNP ministers sit in their ivory towers and tell us everything is perfect. Now is the time to listen to those at the chalk face who know it isn’t. The SNP have chosen to stop funding our education system properly and it is causing chaos.

“The reality is that the SNP has actively caused a crisis in Scottish schools – but with them, someone else is always to blame. The SNP need to stop trying to spin their way out this crisis and give local authorities the funding needed to run world-class schools.”

30 November 2008