1,000 signatures reached
To: North Lanarkshire Council
Oppose North Lanarkshire Council education cuts
North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) have proposed to dramatically reduce the number of teaching assistants across the local authority equating to a reduction of around 198 FTE posts. Secondary schools will lose all teaching assistants and primary schools will be reduced to only one per school, some schools currently have up to four. In addition the council has proposed to end the breakfast club service in schools.
We want NLC to revisit these decisions and consider the impact these will have on the children in North Lanarkshire.
Why is this important?
Since the announcement I have spoken with many concerned parents, carers and others about the proposals. Culture NL engaged in similar exercise last year when they closed many local libraries and staff were redeployed across remaining services thus having an impact on vital public services.
Scottish education has made the headlines recently specifically around the Government's aims to improve the education sector and to reduce the attainment gap. It is vital that as our local Government the council work in tandem with these plans to enhance the education experience for those in North Lanarkshire. The aim should be to create more opportunities and support for young people, whom they are meant to serve, in order to allow them to become fully confident, competent and responsible citizens.
Education is a cornerstone of any successful society to which teaching assistants play a vital role. Not only do they support teachers and reduce their workloads (something which is currently being reviewed by the Scottish Government) but they also provide additional support for those students who desperately need it. We should go as far as to argue we need more of them, not less!
The Conservative party have rightly come under criticism for their proposal to remove the free school lunch policy in England and Wales. NLC’s proposal to close breakfast clubs deserves to be treated in the same regard.
We understand there are issues with the budget and finding where to make cuts is challenging, but please do not take from the children and families who depend on these services. We want NLC to support an urgent review of these decisions and do everything they can to reverse them.
