Press Release

Scottish Councils Not Carrying Out Government Policy Says The NASUWT

25 March 2009

The drop in the number of Scottish teachers identified in the Teachers in Scotland 2008 statistics is down to local authorities not carrying out the policies of Central Government says the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers' union in Scotland.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

"This statement confirms the need for regulatory and statutory powers for Central Government to be able to influence policy at local level. Governments are elected on their pledges and policies for a whole range of services, including education. What is the point of having policies if they cannot then deliver them at local level?

"This just makes a mockery of Government policy."

Jane Peckham, NASUWT Scotland Organiser, said:

"Clearly the Central Government has no control over how local authorities actually put recommendations into practice and the question we are all asking is how can councils be taken to task if they don't action the Government's wishes?

"The problems started when the ring fencing of education funds was scrapped. Councils can now spend the money elsewhere and these worrying statistics are the result."