Leader responds to education concerns

Oct 3 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

COUNCIL leader Ian Miller highlighted the investment in new schools across Perthshire after coming under fire from rivals on the education issue.

Strathtay representative Barbara Vaughan flagged up concerns about falling standards at a full Perth and Kinross Council meeting, prompting a vigorous defence from Mr Miller.

Ms Vaughan said she was “very worried” that the Accounts Commission had set the local authority a target of achieving attainment levels in line with other councils by 2011, and exceeding their peers’ performance by 2015, in a recently published best value audit.

Demanding urgent action, she accused rival councillors in the ruling administration of “total lethargy” following their non-appearance at two recent Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education presentations.

However, Ms Vaughan insisted teachers were doing a good job and denied she was intent on undermining morale.

“The only children in Perth and Kinross who are likely to see an improvement above the comparator are those currently in primaries one, two and three, which is absolutely disgraceful,” she said.

Echoing Ms Vaughan’s views, Tory leader Alexander Stewart said the report showed great strides had been taken in improving the area’s educational performance.

“There is no doubt the council is achieving well in some areas,” he said.

“This is a snapshot of our situation, but we must move forward.

“We fundamentally believe there should be a look at education for the future.”

Mr Miller described his opponents’ stance as “a disgraceful misrepresentation”.

“Many of the indicators on education in Perth and Kinross are already above the national average,” he said.

“We have been asked to discuss agreed targets outlined by the Scottish Government, not something for the council to decide.

“I personally attended a meeting last night with the chief executive at Blairgowrie High School where we spoke with many teachers about some of the issues we are now discussing.

“The dialogue goes on across the council on a regular basis.”

Mr Miller said the local authority’s investment in education was “exemplary” in Scotland.

“More than 25% of pupils will be taught in brand new facilities by 2010, and that doesn’t take into account the ongoing capital programme, with new schools finished in Dunning and Errol and others planned,” he said.