Inside education: Backlash warning if 'listener' Hyslop is axed

Published on Tuesday 22 July 2008 22:06

TIME is running out for the fragile harmony tentatively holding in education circles.

For the past year, anger in the sector has been held in precarious check by the presence of Fiona Hyslop, the education secretary.

University principals were mollified after receiving a mere fraction of the funding they claimed was necessary to stay competitive with English universities, which have access to extra funding through fees.

Mounting anger among teachers also threatened to boil over, with unions considering strikes over investment in training and resources for the new school curriculum.

At the point of publicly berating the SNP-led Scottish Government for singularly failing to deliver on pretty much all of its education election promises, both groups were held in check.

Both were convinced by the reassuring noises made by Ms Hyslop and her willingness to listen to concerns.

She has won over many would-be critics and has gained wary respect from within education circles. However, they are now starting to think ahead.

Ultimately, senior figures in education have the best interests of their sector at heart and rumours are rife that a new education secretary is waiting in the wings.

People are asking whether they should put their support behind the existing minister or back a potential replacement.

Many are relishing the chance to let loose at a successor.

Alex Salmond is widely tipped to be planning a cabinet reshuffle in the summer, with Mike Russell tipped for the top post in education.

Rumour has it that Mr Salmond has not been impressed with Fiona's softly-softly approach and wants a hard-hitter to pull the university principals and teachers into line.

A source said: "If Fiona goes, the gloves could come off. She's managed to keep a lot of people happy by appearing to genuinely listen to their concerns.

"But there is a general feeling that there's been a lot of talk and we are still waiting for something to be delivered.

"If it becomes clear a new minister is not going to deliver, the lid could boil over."

Another source added: "People will be slightly disappointed if she goes because she's had a fairly firm grasp of the brief.

"People hold her in quite high regard and there could be some degree of backlash against the Scottish Government if she's no longer there."