Scots school class size pledge may be missed

A GOVERNMENT pledge to reduce class sizes to 18 in the first three years of primary may not be deliverable even within the next parliament, ministers have admitted.

Education secretary Michael Russell said the Scottish Government accepted "an air of realism" on the policy conceding only the "bulk" of the target would be met by the end of the next parliament.

The vow on class sizes was a key plank of the SNP's party manifesto in 2007.

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However, it was dependent on councils delivering it and with a freeze on council tax many cash-strapped local authorities have cut teachers to save cash.

Currently only 13 per cent of P1 to P3 children in Scotland are taught in classes of 18 or fewer.

Shortly after Mr Russell succeeded to the post he struck a deal with councils which allowed them to ditch the free school meals manifesto pledge in favour of class sizes.

However, now he has backtracked even further by admitting meeting the target by 2015 could be impossible.

He said: "Getting to 20 per cent by August 2010 is a realistic aim, leaving us to do the bulk in the next parliament."

Opponents described the class size pledge as a con.

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "It is the nail in the coffin of their last remaining flagship promise."

Conservative schools spokeswoman Elizabeth Smith said: "At last the SNP has admitted that their class size pledge was a cynical con to buy votes."