Labour hail deferral on classroom assistants proposals

11 February 2011

Highland Council have deferred a decision on the future of classroom assistants until the summer following widespread and vocal opposition to proposals to scrap all such posts.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart has hailed the deferral of the jobs axe for the classroom assistants and praised the Council's Labour Group for coming up with the successful solution.

"This is not just about jobs, important though that is, but about sufficient quality of learning support to enable challenging childrento find a route to a successful education and future", said Mr Stewart.

"I've been inundated with calls and know the strength of feeling of parents on this issue.

"I'm delighted that it is the Labour Group who came up with the idea of cutting discretionary ward budgets to raise the cash to maintain the 344 posts in the meantime.

"Labour councillors actually came up with the proposal a couple of weeks ago, before the news of the jobs axing became public, but found resistance among Administration colleagues.

"But pressure from parents, teachers and classroom assistants made them think again and back the Labour idea.

"I accept that every Council has been given huge cash problems by the UK and Scottish Governments.

"But it is important now that the Council uses this breathing space to make a proper assessment of learning support in the classroom."

Deirdre Mackay, Labour councillor for East Sutherland and Edderton on Highland Council and the secretary of the Labour Group said,

"In 1996, 97, 98 and 1999 I campaigned with my Labour Party colleagues for the investment in education which led to massive improvements in our schools which our communities have enjoyed, and benefited from, over the past decade.

"Classroom assistants play a central role in the Early Intervention programme which is designed to help all youngsters, not only those with special needs.

"They are also central to the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence.

"Ironically the Leader in this week’s edition of TESS, the teachers professional journal, is about the importance of classroom assistants!

"Their value is also well recognised by HMIE.

"I am pleased that common sense prevailed and that we will now see a proper review of classroom support in its widest sense and also that the primary sector will be fully involved with this.

"Highland Council has a legal obligation to balance the budget and savings have to be found.

"It is important that those involved in the primary sector feed back into the review and tell Highland Council how they believe the savings that have to be made can be made."