Smith Calls for Government Action on Class Sizes

4/10/07

Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith has questioned the Scottish Government about their commitment to deliver reduced class sizes across Scotland. At Education Questions yesterday, Ms Smith asked how the Government intended to keep their promises on class sizes in the face of financial and other difficulties. She also highlighted the particular problems in Edinburgh, where the Council has been left with limited resources for education as a result of bad management by previous administrations. The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Fiona Hyslop MSP, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to reducing class sizes but offered no concrete solutions to the current problems. 

Speaking at the Parliament, Margaret said: “It is very disappointing that reducing class sizes seems to be another election promise the SNP is unable to pay for, and that the Cabinet Secretary seems to have no real plans for how they will deliver this policy across Scotland. My colleagues at the City of Edinburgh Council have been left with insufficient resources to cover the cost of the additional staff and facilities which would be required and it would the Government is offering them no assistance.”