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'Slow progress' on class pledge | 'Slow progress' on class pledge |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Scottish Government has a long way to go to achieve its policy of cutting P1 to P3 classes to a maximum of 18 pupils, figures have suggested. | The Scottish Government has a long way to go to achieve its policy of cutting P1 to P3 classes to a maximum of 18 pupils, figures have suggested. |
In the last year, the number of pupils in classes of that size increased by 1% to 13%. | In the last year, the number of pupils in classes of that size increased by 1% to 13%. |
The Tories said it would take 87 years for the target to be achieved at that rate of growth. | The Tories said it would take 87 years for the target to be achieved at that rate of growth. |
Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said she would work with local authorities to ensure progress was made. | Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said she would work with local authorities to ensure progress was made. |
The annual Pupils in Scotland report showed the percentage of P1 to P3 pupils who were in classes of 18 or fewer rose from 12.3% in 2007 to 13.2% in 2008. | The annual Pupils in Scotland report showed the percentage of P1 to P3 pupils who were in classes of 18 or fewer rose from 12.3% in 2007 to 13.2% in 2008. |
If classes with two teachers were also counted, the increase was from 15.3% to 15.6%. | If classes with two teachers were also counted, the increase was from 15.3% to 15.6%. |
At this rate it will take 87 years for the class size pledge to be met, in or around 2095 Murdo Fraser MSP | At this rate it will take 87 years for the class size pledge to be met, in or around 2095 Murdo Fraser MSP |
The figures also showed that the average class size in primary schools last year was 23.2 pupils, a marginal decrease from 23.3 in 2007. | The figures also showed that the average class size in primary schools last year was 23.2 pupils, a marginal decrease from 23.3 in 2007. |
P1 classes had the smallest average size of 21.1 pupils, unchanged from 2007. | P1 classes had the smallest average size of 21.1 pupils, unchanged from 2007. |
The SNP had made cutting class sizes to a maximum of 18 in the first three years of primary school a flagship manifesto pledge before its victory in the 2007 Holyrood elections. | The SNP had made cutting class sizes to a maximum of 18 in the first three years of primary school a flagship manifesto pledge before its victory in the 2007 Holyrood elections. |
Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Tory spokesman for education, said the figures were a "huge embarrassment" for Ms Hyslop and First Minister Alex Salmond. | Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Tory spokesman for education, said the figures were a "huge embarrassment" for Ms Hyslop and First Minister Alex Salmond. |
He added: "At this rate it will take 87 years for the class size pledge to be met, in or around 2095. | He added: "At this rate it will take 87 years for the class size pledge to be met, in or around 2095. |
"By that time, most of the pupils that the SNP said this policy would originally benefit will be looking forward to a telegram from Buckingham Palace. Their children's children might not even benefit. | "By that time, most of the pupils that the SNP said this policy would originally benefit will be looking forward to a telegram from Buckingham Palace. Their children's children might not even benefit. |
"Even Alex Salmond has not yet found the secret of eternal life, but unless he is planning to stay in post for the next eight-and-a-half decades, this is conclusive proof that the SNP's flagship class size pledge was nothing more than a cynical exercise in courting votes." | "Even Alex Salmond has not yet found the secret of eternal life, but unless he is planning to stay in post for the next eight-and-a-half decades, this is conclusive proof that the SNP's flagship class size pledge was nothing more than a cynical exercise in courting votes." |
'Substantial progress' | 'Substantial progress' |
But Ms Hyslop insisted progress was being made towards reaching the target. | But Ms Hyslop insisted progress was being made towards reaching the target. |
She said: "Today's figures - which relate to September 2008 - show that 18 out of 32 local authorities are making progress on reducing class sizes and, overall, since 2006, there has been a 2% rise in the number of P1 to P3 pupils who are in class sizes of 18 or less. | She said: "Today's figures - which relate to September 2008 - show that 18 out of 32 local authorities are making progress on reducing class sizes and, overall, since 2006, there has been a 2% rise in the number of P1 to P3 pupils who are in class sizes of 18 or less. |
"While this takes the figure to the highest it has been, we clearly need to make more substantial progress. | "While this takes the figure to the highest it has been, we clearly need to make more substantial progress. |
"However, I am pleased that we have seen a reduction of the number of P1 to P3 pupils in classes of over 25 from 38% in 2006 to 23% in 2008. This shows many more early years pupils are in smaller classes. | "However, I am pleased that we have seen a reduction of the number of P1 to P3 pupils in classes of over 25 from 38% in 2006 to 23% in 2008. This shows many more early years pupils are in smaller classes. |
"We will need to work closely with local government partners through these tough economic times to ensure progress continues to be made." | "We will need to work closely with local government partners through these tough economic times to ensure progress continues to be made." |
But the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland warned last year that it would cost £622m to cut class sizes to 18, given that an additional 2,173 teaching staff and an extra 900 classrooms would be required. | But the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland warned last year that it would cost £622m to cut class sizes to 18, given that an additional 2,173 teaching staff and an extra 900 classrooms would be required. |
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