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Framework for education
10/12/2009
A framework which proposes a way forward on key education policies is to be put to council leaders following discussions between Education Secretary Michael Russell and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
If agreed, the deal will mean 11,000 additional pupils in P1 to P3 are in classes of not more than 18 by August 2010.
In return the Scottish Government will give councils the flexibility to prioritise free school meals for children in the most deprived areas, as part of progress towards delivery of a free school meal for every child.
The improvement in recognition of the needs of kinship carers will continue to be a priority for the Scottish Government and local authorities but progress at Westminster is now also regarded as a pre-requisite.
Work to expand pre-school hours will continue, however different means of approaching this target have been suggested, including the 'Free at 3' campaign. During 2010 local authorities and the Scottish Government will work together to plan for further progress post May 2011 without further regulation.
All councils will be asked to indicate what contribution they could make to the proposed class size reductions in return for the flexibilities we have outlined. Once detailed responses from Councils have been received further talks will be held to agree the way forward.
Mr Russell said:
"When I took over as Education Secretary last week, my first pledge was to re-set the relationship with COSLA in order to achieve real progress on key priorities including class sizes. As we saw this week with the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report, the recession has put substantial and growing pressure on public finances. The Scottish Government and councils are facing an unprecedented budget squeeze and we now know that Westminster has cut the Scottish Government's budget by more than 800 million pounds. In light of this stark financial reality, I believe we need a clear proposal for a way forward.
"The strength of the Concordat lies in enshrining a realistic, flexible and sustainable approach to the important issues that face local and national government. The Scottish Government - in partnership with COSLA - is firmly committed to the reduction in P1 to P3 class sizes. I firmly believe that delivering smaller class sizes in P1 to P3 is a necessary step towards improved attainment. Evidence and common sense tell us that more quality time with teachers pays dividends, particularly for the most vulnerable children. We are determined that the strength of our relationship will be demonstrated by the way in which we take forward this issue.
"Of course, much progress has already been made, including on class sizes. Whether it is the improved support for kinship carers, the extension of free school meals or the expansion of nursery places, there can be no doubt that real change for the better has been delivered.
"Intensive discussions over the last week between representatives of COSLA and the Scottish Government have produced a framework for further sustained progress between now and 2011 on the key concordat education commitments."
"This framework will now be discussed with the leaders of Scotland's Local Authorities. COSLA will feed back their views with the aim of securing a renewed and strengthened agreement focussing on delivery at a time of increasing financial pressure on the Scottish Government and on local authorities, given the reductions in public expenditure being forced by Westminster."