By Bill Heaney
The Scottish Conservatives have accused the SNP of stretching the Scottish education system “beyond breaking point” after data revealed that one in six secondary schools have a pupil roll greater than 100% capacity – while one in three are operating beyond 90% capacity.
And Labour too have got the belt out to administer six of the best for Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.
Dame Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “Pupils should be able to learn and teachers be able to teach in an appropriate environment.
“It is disappointing to hear that there are so many schools nearing or exceeding their capacity which will undoubtedly impact on students.
“The SNP’s record on education has been incredibly poor. They have failed to reduce the attainment gap meaning young people in our more deprived communities are being left behind.
“The Scottish Government need proper investment in our schools to give teachers the tools they need to deliver for our young people.”
Tory education spokesman Liam Kerr, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth with First Minister Humza Yousaf and Labour’s deputy leader, Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.
School estate statistics also show that over 210 primary schools have a pupils’ roll reaching near maximum capacity including 66 primary schools with a pupils roll greater than 100% capacity.
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liam Kerr has warned that years of neglect have left teachers “trying to do their job with one hand tied behind their back”.
He has also urged the SNP to invest in our schools and show support for the Scottish Conservatives’ New Deal for Teachers, so that pupils and staff “are given the space to flourish in a productive learning environment”.
Liam Kerr MSP said: “The SNP have left schools across Scotland stretched beyond breaking point, with pupils and teachers paying the price for 16 years of neglect.
“Hundreds of schools are near or exceeding total capacity of the pupil roll, adding to the daily strain on teachers who have already been left trying to do their jobs with one hand tied behind their back due to lack of resources.
“SNP ministers must urgently invest in our schools and support the Scottish Conservatives’ New Deal for Teachers so that pupils and staff are given the space to flourish in a productive learning environment.”
One in six secondary schools have a pupil roll greater than 100% of school capacity. Data from the School estate statistics reveal that 54 (15%) secondary schools in Scotland have a pupil roll greater than 100% of the school capacity. (School Estate Statistics 2022, 6 September 2022, link).
One in three secondary schools have a pupil roll reaching 90% or more than the maximum school capacity. Data from the School estate statistics reveal that 69 secondary schools in Scotland have a pupil roll of between 90%-100% of the school capacity and 54 secondary schools in Scotland have a pupil roll greater than 100% of the school capacity. (School Estate Statistics 2022, 6 September 2022, link).
66 primary schools have a pupil roll greater than 100% of school capacity. Data from the School estate statistics reveal that 66 primary schools in Scotland have a pupil roll greater than 100% of the school capacity. (School Estate Statistics 2022, 6 September 2022, link).
Over 230 primary schools have a pupil roll reaching near maximum school capacity. Data from the School estate statistics reveal that 232 primary schools in Scotland have a pupil roll of between 90%-100% of the school capacity. (School Estate Statistics 2022, 6 September 2022, link).
Funny old world but apparently the new OLSP was built to small for it’s needs.
And who may we ask was responsible for that.