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| Primary 1-3 class sizes in Scotland rise for fourth year in a row | Primary 1-3 class sizes in Scotland rise for fourth year in a row |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The number of Scottish pupils in the early years of primary school have increased for the fourth year in a row, new statistics show. | The number of Scottish pupils in the early years of primary school have increased for the fourth year in a row, new statistics show. |
| The average class in Primary 1, 2 and 3 has 23.3 pupils - a rise from 23.2 pupils last year. | The average class in Primary 1, 2 and 3 has 23.3 pupils - a rise from 23.2 pupils last year. |
| Scotland's new Education Secretary Angela Constance said the news was "disappointing". | Scotland's new Education Secretary Angela Constance said the news was "disappointing". |
| The Scottish Conservative party accused the SNP administration of taking its "eye off the ball". | The Scottish Conservative party accused the SNP administration of taking its "eye off the ball". |
| In 2007 the SNP made a manifesto commitment to cut class sizes between Primary 1 and 3 to 18 or less. | In 2007 the SNP made a manifesto commitment to cut class sizes between Primary 1 and 3 to 18 or less. |
| However, only around one in eight pupils in these years are being taught in a class that small. | However, only around one in eight pupils in these years are being taught in a class that small. |
| This year 22,137 primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils are in a class with 18 or fewer children in it compared with 22,992 last year. | This year 22,137 primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils are in a class with 18 or fewer children in it compared with 22,992 last year. |
| Class size legislation | |
| There has been a substantial rise in the number of early primary pupils in a class with more than 26 pupils. | |
| Over the three primary years, numbers went from 42,908 last year to 45,539 this year. | |
| Legislation was introduced in November 2010 to limit class sizes for Primary 1 pupils to a maximum of 25 unless there were exceptional circumstances. | Legislation was introduced in November 2010 to limit class sizes for Primary 1 pupils to a maximum of 25 unless there were exceptional circumstances. |
| Across Scotland, 451 P1 children are in a class with 26 pupils or more, which is a new low. | Across Scotland, 451 P1 children are in a class with 26 pupils or more, which is a new low. |
| The latest government statistics also showed that the number of teachers in Scotland's schools fell in 2014 while the number of pupils increased. | The latest government statistics also showed that the number of teachers in Scotland's schools fell in 2014 while the number of pupils increased. |
| Full-time equivalent teacher (FTE) numbers stand at 50,824 which is 254 fewer than 2013. | Full-time equivalent teacher (FTE) numbers stand at 50,824 which is 254 fewer than 2013. |
| The number of pupils in Scotland's schools is up 3,425 on the previous year to 676,955. | The number of pupils in Scotland's schools is up 3,425 on the previous year to 676,955. |
| The education secretary said: "It is only a few years since more than 16,000 P1s were taught in unacceptably large classes of more than 25. | The education secretary said: "It is only a few years since more than 16,000 P1s were taught in unacceptably large classes of more than 25. |
| "These figures show we have virtually eliminated such classes. | "These figures show we have virtually eliminated such classes. |
| "And, in the early years, we can see more three and four year olds in nursery have access to a registered teacher - giving them a better start to their education journey." | "And, in the early years, we can see more three and four year olds in nursery have access to a registered teacher - giving them a better start to their education journey." |
| 'Failed miserably' | 'Failed miserably' |
| Ms Constance added: "We welcome the rise in the number of primary teachers but it is clear that this rise has been outstripped by the increase in primary pupils. That has led to a small but disappointing overall increase in the pupil-teacher ratio. | Ms Constance added: "We welcome the rise in the number of primary teachers but it is clear that this rise has been outstripped by the increase in primary pupils. That has led to a small but disappointing overall increase in the pupil-teacher ratio. |
| "We are already in discussions with councils, through Cosla, on the way ahead and these figures will now form part of those talks." | "We are already in discussions with councils, through Cosla, on the way ahead and these figures will now form part of those talks." |
| The Conservative Party's education spokeswoman, Mary Scanlon, said the Scottish government was failing on a number of target areas such as class-sizes and pupil-to-teacher ratio. | The Conservative Party's education spokeswoman, Mary Scanlon, said the Scottish government was failing on a number of target areas such as class-sizes and pupil-to-teacher ratio. |
| She added: "The SNP made clear in its 2007 manifesto that it would address this issue - and inevitably it has failed miserably. | She added: "The SNP made clear in its 2007 manifesto that it would address this issue - and inevitably it has failed miserably. |
| "This is a huge concern, and one that has to be treated as an absolute priority." | "This is a huge concern, and one that has to be treated as an absolute priority." |
| Local government body Cosla said the statistics were positive. | |
| However, spokesman Councillor Douglas Chapman added that there was more to delivering a high quality education system "than simply the numbers of teachers that are employed". | |
| He said: "Over the next four months, we have embarked on a process with Scottish government, trade unions, parent bodies and other interested parties to consider a broader range of indicators for educational improvement." | |
| Scotland's largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said Cosla had failed to meet a binding agreement on maintaining teacher numbers. | |
| EIS general secretary, Larry Flanagan, said: "The agreement to maintain teacher numbers across Scotland was hard won, at significant cost to teachers' pay and conditions, and was designed to keep class sizes at an acceptable level, facilitate a quality learning environment for pupils, and provide job opportunities for graduate teachers entering the profession. | |
| "The fact that Scotland's local authorities and Cosla have failed to deliver their part of the agreement is a clear betrayal of teachers, pupils and parents across Scotland." | |
| 'Pay the price' | |
| Criticism also came from Scottish Labour's education spokeswoman, Kezia Dugdale, who said the SNP's broken promises had left Scottish parents abandoned. | |
| She added: "Our schools are creaking, our teachers are stressed, parents are anxious and pupils are suffering. Yet year after year the SNP sweep these issues under the carpet and pretend everything's on the up." | |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman, Liam McArthur, believed SNP ministers had spent "so long" campaigning for independence that they had taken their "eye off the ball" in relation to supporting key services like education. | |
| He added: "We now know that teacher numbers are at their lowest since the SNP came into power, the pupil-teacher ratio continues to increase and more primary school pupils are being taught in bigger classes. | |
| "All a far cry from SNP promises to deliver lower class sizes and a betrayal for which school children in Scotland will be left to pay the price." |