It's Time for Smaller Class Sizes

SNP Shadow Education and Lifelong Learning Minister Fiona Hyslop today (Tuesday) said that it's time for Scotland to have a government that will stand up for Scotland's pupils and give them the best start in life with smaller class sizes.

Ms Hyslop made the call following the publication by the Labour and Lib Dem government of the latest Pupils in Scotland report which revealed that it is failing to meet its pledge to deliver class sizes of 25 in P1, with over 41 per cent of all P1 pupils, 17,393, in class sizes larger than 25.

Ms Hyslop said:

"At a time when the target for Maths and English in S1 and S2 is not yet being met, it is deeply concerning to see that the target is also currently being missed for over 41 per cent of P1 pupils.

"The SNP is determined to give our young people the best start in life through delivering an even better education system. Research shows that up until the age of 8 a child is learning to read, but from 8 years on they are reading to learn. That's why we must get the basics right and start recruiting more teachers this year to give our primary school pupils more time with their teacher in smaller class sizes in Primary 1, 2 and 3.

"At First Minister's Questions last week, Mr McConnell claimed that there was on average one teacher for every 17 pupils in every Scottish primary school. With 17,393 P1 pupils in classes of over 25, these children's parents must be wondering where all the teachers are.

"At the last Scottish election Labour's key pledge was to bring down class sizes and they have yet again failed to deliver. They did not recruit and provide jobs for enough teachers at the pace needed to deliver and then shifted the goal posts.

"It's time for a new approach to Scottish education with an SNP government committed to giving power to determine class sizes back to the teachers - the professionals - and to provide the resources they need to build firmer foundations for learning and success."

ENDS