MSPs say Russell should apologise over role in row over school closures

Education secretary Michael Russell has come under renewed pressure to apologise for his involvement in a row over school closures, after the Scottish Government lost a vote in parliament on the issue.

The South of Scotland MSP has accused political opponents of "attempting to smear" him and insisted he was right to meet parents and councillors in Argyll and Bute, where he is standing for election in May.

The local council has shelved consultation on the possible closure of up to 25 primary schools in the area.

But opposition MSPs yesterday passed a motion calling on him to apologise for his role in the row.

Labour's education spokesman Des McNulty said: "Whatever coat he said he was wearing when meeting Argyll parents, they knew they were meeting the Cabinet secretary for education.

"He has used his position inappropriately, putting his personal political ambition ahead of fairness to parents from other parts of Scotland denied the same access when faced with school closure.

"Instead of meddling, he should have been tackling the many failures of his party in education."

The motion also condemned the fall of about 3,000 in teacher numbers since the SNP came to power and the increase in newly qualified teachers who can't find work.

Mr Russell insisted during the Holyrood debate yesterday that teacher numbers were not sustainable in "any circumstances".

He said: "Teacher numbers is a matter for local authorities, but I have some sympathy for them as far as teacher numbers are concerned, and I have very strong sympathy and support for those young people who have been affected.

"But, put bluntly, it is not realistic for anyone to suggest that we or any other government might aspire to restoring numbers to 2007 levels."

He did not apologise over his role in the closures programme in a statement to parliament earlier this week. He insisted he had told local people he could not take a position on closures because of his ministerial job.

The Conservatives' education spokeswoman Liz Smith said yesterday's Holyrood debate would be "puzzling" for voters, who, she said, wanted to hear about policies for the future.

She acknowledged "excellent" developments in education but added: "Two thirds of S2 pupils are struggling with literacy and we still have 13,000 pupils who leave school each year unable to read or write properly.

Only 30 per cent of pupils in S2 are reaching the required standard in maths, despite that figure being 85 per cent in primary three.

"Scottish pupils are now ranked below the global average in maths and science."

Ms Smith said the SNP had made "unrealistic" promises in its last election manifesto, such as its pledge to maintain teacher numbers.She went on: "There is a great need for change, something that I believe is recognised by the voters. Let's give them a robust debate which is worthy of the political process of this parliament."

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Margaret Smith accused the SNP of having put forward a string of excuses and adopted a position that "beggars belief".

And, referring to the ongoing row over school closures in Argyll and Bute, she said: "Parents across Scotland are left with the undeniable view that there's one rule for parents in Argyll in relation to school closures, and there's another for the rest of them."