17 Jun 2020
The SNP has been urged to provide councils with all the money they need to get schools open again, or risk putting a pricetag on children’s future.
At First Minister’s Questions today, Jackson Carlaw said parents across the country were furious at the SNP’s lack of ambition in maximising face-to-face teaching time for an August return.
The Scottish Conservative leader said ministers had to show more imagination in boosting teacher numbers and capacity, and ensure local authorities had adequate funds to make necessary changes.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and education secretary John Swinney have come under intense pressure over their plans for a partial return to the classroom.
Mr Swinney even suggested pupils faced an entire academic year of only being in school a fraction of the usual time.
And today, Mr Carlaw citied the views of one parent, who said “while careers can be furloughed, childhood cannot”.
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said:
“We must not put a pricetag on our children’s future.
“But that’s exactly what the SNP is doing with this completely unsatisfactory plan for a partial return.
“Parents, teachers and pupils are demanding the SNP government shows more imagination, more creative thinking, when it comes to getting education off the ground again.
“But all we’ve seen so far is dithering and buck-passing.
“Nicola Sturgeon knew back in March that something would have to be done to get children back into the classroom, but still things are a complete mess.
“The SNP needs to sort this out now or risk failing an entire generation of young people.”
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