Plans to extend an early retirement scheme for teachers in Dundee will be put before councillors in the ”near future” after the postponement of a discussion earlier this week.
Members of Dundee City Council’s policy and resources committee were to discuss the extension of the voluntary scheme on Monday, but it was removed from the agenda at short notice.
Opponents have argued scrapping the debate highlights council concerns on maintaining suitable teacher numbers.
However, this has been denied by council leader and committee convener Ken Guild. He said the committee will discuss the scheme after more discussions with local government group COSLA.
He said: ”We intend to bring this item back to committee in the near future, once information is available from COSLA.”
Mr Guild was responding to claims by Labour education spokesman Laurie Bidwell, who suggested the administration was reluctant to discuss teacher numbers in local schools.
Monday’s meeting was meant to provide councillors with an opportunity to provide further proposals for the voluntary early retirement scheme for the end of the 2011-12 academic session.
It was recommended the scheme be continued for teachers aged 55 and over as the council tries to save money.
Some 263 teachers in Dundee would be aged 55-60 as of August 12 next year. All who would be able to apply for early retirement.