10,000 set to join protest against school cuts

Published on Thursday 4 March 2010 21:39

SOME 10,000 people are expected to join a protest against education cuts tomorrow, at the start of a major national campaign.

Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, which is co-ordinating the march and rally in Glasgow, expects parents and lecturers to join teachers from across the country. So many are expected that the police and city council requested a change of route to accommodate the numbers.

EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith said: "The strength of support for tomorrow's march and rally will send a clear message to both local and national government, and they must now sit up and take notice."

He promised the rally would be just the first step in a campaign against cuts called "Why must our children pay?"

Mr Smith went on: "We must continue to build momentum and support in the weeks and months to come. Only by continuing to highlight the cause of Scottish education in every forum possible can we hope to achieve our ultimate goal of halting the damaging cuts to education spending in Scotland."

An EIS survey of teachers across the country revealed many were facing financial struggles. They reported a ban on printing materials, library books dating from the 1970s and parents being asked to pay for A4 paper.

Several councils, including Fife and Shetland, have announced plans to cut free musical instrument tuition to save money.

A number are cutting teaching numbers, as well as support staff, to make efficiency savings.

Mr Smith said: "There is a great deal at stake but we cannot allow Scottish education, and the pupils and students of Scotland, to suffer through no fault of their own."

Ken Macintosh, Labour schools spokesman, said he would be at the rally on Saturday. "It is quite clear from talking to parents and teachers that cuts are already having a detrimental effect on children's education," he said.

"Clearly, the outlook for public services generally is not great, so we all have to unite to say education spend has to be protected."

Protesters will gather in Kelvingrove Park from 10:30am tomorrow. The march will begin at 11am and take a route through the city centre, finishing with a rally at the Clyde Auditorium, next to the SECC.

Free buses are being laid on by the EIS from Edinburgh and other major towns and cities throughout the country.

Education secretary Michael Russell said: "I think they are right to campaign against cuts."

However, he added: "What really worries me is that this year we've been able to protect education money. But my real fear is if this year, after the Westminster election, there is an emergency budget, this will create a really big problem."

He promised the SNP would be represented at the march.