Political opinion: Satisfaction with schools falls to a record low
Labour have blasted new figures that show satisfaction in Scotland’s schools remains at a record low. Official figures gathered as part of the Scottish Household Survey, carried out by the Scottish Government, confirmed that satisfaction with schools has decreased from a peak of 85% in 2011 to just 69%.
Labour’s Falkirk West candidate, Paul Godzik, and Cllr Siobhan Paterson, Labour candidate for Falkirk East have commented on the figures, which they claim shows a pattern of failure under the SNP Scottish Government.
Paul said: “Satisfaction with our schools is at its lowest point since records began. The SNP have been in power for 18 years, and this fall in confidence is entirely their making. A decade ago, the then SNP First Minister stated she wanted to be judged on education, and from that point satisfaction in our school system has slipped year after year. The attainment gap remains stubbornly wide, and teachers are struggling with unmanageable workloads. It’s time for a new direction for our education system.”
Siobhan, who is Labour’s Education spokesperson on Falkirk Council added: ‘Nationally the SNP have hacked away at local authority budgets, locally the SNP Administration at Falkirk Council have brought forward ludicrous proposals, such as cutting the school day, and seeking to deny children the education they deserve. Teachers, parents and pupils deserve much better.”
“I want a Scottish Labour government in Edinburgh, which will work with local councils to make classrooms safe places to learn and build an education system that unlocks the potential of every young person.”