Councils warn John Swinney over '˜hasty' school changes

Councils have warned John Swinney that 'hasty' changes to the education system 'could do irreparable damage for future generations'.

John Swinney was urged to proceed with caution. Picture: Getty Images

Local government body Cosla urged the Education Secretary to “proceed with caution” ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Government summit on school reform and raising attainment.

The SNP manifesto for the Holyrood election included a proposal to “encourage school clusters and create new educational regions to decentralise management and support”.

It also pledged to “extend to individual schools responsibilities that currently sit solely with local authorities, allocate more resources directly to headteachers and enable them to take decisions based on local circumstances”.

Cosla’s education spokeswoman, Stephanie Primrose, said: “There is plenty to be celebrated within the Scottish education system and to proceed in a hasty manner could do irreparable damage for future generations.”