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Union anger at axed nursery posts Union anger at axed nursery posts
(about 23 hours later)
The number of nursery jobs axed by local councils has been criticised by Scotland's largest teaching union.The number of nursery jobs axed by local councils has been criticised by Scotland's largest teaching union.
In the past year, 120 teaching posts have been cut in nursery schools across the country, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said.In the past year, 120 teaching posts have been cut in nursery schools across the country, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said.
The union believes having qualified teachers in a nursery setting is the best way to give children a good start.The union believes having qualified teachers in a nursery setting is the best way to give children a good start.
EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith described the cuts as "purely a budget saving device".EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith described the cuts as "purely a budget saving device".
He added: "With all the weight of evidence pointing to the value of nursery education, it is perverse that local councils should now be reducing the number of nursery teachers working in their area.He added: "With all the weight of evidence pointing to the value of nursery education, it is perverse that local councils should now be reducing the number of nursery teachers working in their area.
It is a false economy because increasingly children will lose out on the benefits which quality nursery education can bring Ronnie SmithEISIt is a false economy because increasingly children will lose out on the benefits which quality nursery education can bring Ronnie SmithEIS
"At the same time as the numbers of children aged three to five in pre-school education are increasing, the number of teaching posts is being cut.""At the same time as the numbers of children aged three to five in pre-school education are increasing, the number of teaching posts is being cut."
The union has accused local authorities and the Scottish Executive of failing to invest in proper pre-school provision and plans to campaign on behalf of nursery teachers in the run up to Scottish parliamentary elections next year.The union has accused local authorities and the Scottish Executive of failing to invest in proper pre-school provision and plans to campaign on behalf of nursery teachers in the run up to Scottish parliamentary elections next year.
Mr Smith said: "The removal of nursery teachers is purely a budget saving device.Mr Smith said: "The removal of nursery teachers is purely a budget saving device.
"It is a false economy because increasingly children will lose out on the benefits which quality nursery education can bring.""It is a false economy because increasingly children will lose out on the benefits which quality nursery education can bring."
He added the union would be "seeking assurances from all political parties" as to how they see the development of nursery education in the future.He added the union would be "seeking assurances from all political parties" as to how they see the development of nursery education in the future.
Best start
The Curriculum for Excellence, a partnership of all the main education bodies in Scotland, was set up in 2004 with the aim of making the link between nursery and primary school smoother.The Curriculum for Excellence, a partnership of all the main education bodies in Scotland, was set up in 2004 with the aim of making the link between nursery and primary school smoother.
Mr Smith said: "It is difficult to see how real continuity can be maintained while nursery teachers are being removed from pre-five settings."Mr Smith said: "It is difficult to see how real continuity can be maintained while nursery teachers are being removed from pre-five settings."
Fiona Hyslop from the Scottish National Party said she agreed with the EIS's concerns.
She added: "An early start is the best start for Scotland's children and we need a team of professional nursery nurses and teachers.
"That two-fifths of pre-schools don't have a nursery teacher under this Labour/Liberal Democrat government shows they are failing."