EDUCATION and teaching unions remain firmly opposed to a plan to change the school week in Dumfries and Galloway.
And they have criticised the local authority for dodging their questions and not giving enough information on the proposals.
Following correspondence with the chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, the EIS and SSTA teaching trade unions yesterday reiterated their demand that the council postpone the “deeply flawed” asymmetric week consultation.
They say a series of fundamental issues still need to be resolved, including questions about the shape of the week, the impact on staff and even the validity of the questionnaires the council has used.
Concerns were also expressed about the impact of longer days on primary age children and fears of a move to more online delivery.
EIS local association secretary Andrew O’Halloran, pictured, said: “The response from the chief executive has got us no further forward. None of our questions have been answered. There are simply too many variables at play for us to support the proposals, which may have a negative impact on education in Dumfries and Galloway.
“It looks more and more like a money saving exercise, rather than a way of supporting attainment, with possible detriments to both primary and secondary pupils. Primary pupils will have untenably long days, and secondary pupils will end up receiving certificate classes online, a model about which we have serious reservations.”
Meanwhile, SSTA district secretary Jay Young said: “Fundamental questions remain unanswered about the impact of the proposals on teaching staff. Many teachers work part-time but the council has failed to explain how the proposals will affect them.
“We do not believe that the proposals will have a positive impact on recruitment or wellbeing.”
