A petition launched by a group of schoolgirls to oppose proposed Dundee secondary school timetable changes has gained more than 500 signatures.
Earlier in the year city parents received letters outlining plans to introduce a “33-period model” in secondary schools.
The proposals, which would be implemented in the summer term running from May until June 2016, would see all Dundee schools adopt the same timetable.
In response to the proposals, Morgan Academy pupil Alix Hill launched a petition to oppose the scheme.
Within weeks of going live, Alix’s petition gained more than 200 signatures of support.
Now, just two months on, the schoolgirl’s plea for Dundee City Council to drop the plans, which would see pupils finish before 3pm two days a week, has attracted more than 500 signatures from concerned locals.
Speaking after launching her petition, passionate critic of the scheme Alix explained: “One reason we are against the plans is that a lot of families can’t afford private tutors and need as much quality time with teachers as possible.
“Some schools in Dundee are in poorer catchment areas and they will be at a disadvantage to students from schools in better-off areas.
“Other problems to do with this new regime would be that pupils returning home at this time in the winter may be in danger of being in car accidents.
“Registration would also be discarded, which would give no opportunity for bond-making such as a pupil with their registration teacher who may notice that they have trouble at home or aren’t eating breakfast.
“We used to have two hours a week where we could stay behind and get extra teaching. With the changes to the timetable, this may not be possible.”
Fellow organiser and campaigner Fiona Butchart said: “The model has not been thought through and could have devastating effects on the education of young Scottish people.”
Despite the criticism, Councillor Stuart Hunter, Dundee City Council education convener, said he was “happy to see students and pupils getting involved”.
He added: “I am looking forward to hearing their concerns and seeing if there is something that we can do about it together.”
Plans for a 33-period school week were announced in November.
The timetable reflects concerns about long afternoons by scheduling two, rather than three, classes after lunch.
As part of the changes, an earlier start time of 8.45am would be implemented, meaning the seven-lesson days would finish at 3.40pm.
The six-lesson days would finish at 2.50pm.