City schools lose thousands in cuts

Published on Tuesday 2 December 2008 09:13

SCHOOLS across Edinburgh are facing fresh cuts with headteachers being told to wipe tens of thousands of pounds from their budgets.

Secondary schools face losing in the region of 80,000 per year, while primaries will lose an average of 20,000 if the expected two per cent "efficiency savings" are agreed in February's budget.

The savings will mean headteachers face a tough job trying to balance their already tight budgets, especially as it comes on top of last year's 1.5 per cent savings.

Schools would also be forced to reduce spending on a range of services – including things like school counsellors and holiday study sessions – and will also have to cut back on the provision of basic materials like textbooks, jotters, photocopies, paper and art supplies. Repairs and maintenance are also expected to be hit.

Headteachers are known to be looking at how they would implement the savings, but the city council insists no final decisions have been taken.

Martyn Quinn, chairman of Craigmount High School's parent council, said they would have to axe a support department for youngsters with behavioural problems, the school counsellor and the Easter study programme.

He said: "We find the term efficiency saving quite insulting really because we have made all the savings we can in the last year and this is cutting into the main body of the school.

"This is a big worry and it's a big headache for the school.

"If this goes ahead, it will be very detrimental to children's learning in Edinburgh's schools."

At Stockbridge Primary, having to find two per cent savings will leave the school nearly 14,000 out of pocket. This means the school would have to make savings on supplies like books and also on basic things like paper towels and soap and on general repairs and maintenance.

Claire Cowell, chair of the school's parent council, said: "The last thing that headteachers want to start cutting is staffing, so really what they're left with is having to apply these cuts to what is left for general running costs of the school."

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Labour's education spokesman, said he shared parents' concerns about the potential cuts and would be calling on the council not to pass cuts on to schools.

The council insists no decisions have yet been taken on February's budget and no figures have been agreed with regards to savings in schools.

Education leader Marilyne MacLaren said: "We have not yet met with the schools about the budget, but in the coming weeks I will be sitting down with headteachers and parents to discuss it.

"It is worth remembering that the budget will not be set for another two-and-a-half months."