Dundee LibDems criticise Scottish Government's 'lack of ambition' for Scottish school children (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems criticise Scottish Government's 'lack of ambition' for Scottish school children

March 23, 2008 2:12 PM

Dundee LibDems criticise abolition of abolish Schools of Ambition scheme

Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Sunday 23rd March) added their voice to huge criticism of the SNP government is its decision to abolish the Schools of Ambition programme in Scotland.

Speaking during a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Jeremy Purvis MSP, condemned the SNP for sending mixed messages about targeting resources at deprived children.

"The SNP are all over the place on their policy to target resources at deprived children. Ministers have justified their decision to scrap the Schools of Ambition programme by claiming that it's unfair as it only benefits select schools. Yet, the Government is pouring resources into piloting free school meals and cutting class sizes in areas of high deprivation.

"The SNP must come clean about the real motivation for scrapping this largely successful scheme. Under the SNP Government, spending on education and skills has fallen as a proportion of the Scottish Budget."

Here in Dundee LibDem City Council Group Leader, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, added, "It is important that the best teachers are able to teach in those areas or subjects where there are shortages.

"We think it makes sense to provide incentives for those individuals who step up to the challenge. They can use their skills to transform poorly achieving schools. We will offer those headteachers new incentives and improved contract terms for this work."