Teachers dismiss trust schools plan

Published on Friday 13 November 2009 21:22

TEACHERS have dismissed moves by an SNP council to introduce trust schools as "speculative" and lacking in "meaningful support".

Other experts warned Scotland is too wedded to the idea of direct council control over public services to allow schools more budgetary freedom.

A spokesman for Scotland's biggest teaching union, the EIS, said: "It is important that Scotland's comprehensive education system can continue to provide equal educational opportunities for all young people."

And he was sceptical the proposal by East Lothian's SNP-led administration would ever happen. He said: "While the East Lothian proposal currently appears to be highly speculative and lacking in meaningful support, the EIS would have serious concerns about any potential return to the failed opt-out type policies of the past."

Secondary teachers also warned the move could be an "unmitigated disaster".

Another education insider warned MSPs and the Scottish public would be unlikely to support schools being removed from local authority control.