Some councils are cutting education services “without regard to the consequences,” a teaching union has warned.
The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, which represents 8500 members, said it was worried some local authorities did not have enough knowledge of educational systems and arrangements to be fully aware of the impact of the cuts.
General secretary Ann Ballinger said, “The SSTA accepts that local authorities are in a state of financial stringency imposed on them by both the Holyrood and Westminster governments.
“Regrettably, certain local authorities have suggested or imposed cuts without regard to the consequences. The people of Scotland deserve better.
“The SSTA is prepared to discuss with every local authority mechanisms which can be used to reduce the impact of cuts or at least to soften the effect.”
She said one meeting between the unions and umbrella body CoSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) had taken place, with the employers making it clear that no area of local services could be excluded from the budget savings.
“Within education it is of particular regret that many authorities are significantly reducing their spending on services for pupils with additional needs. Most obviously, classroom assistant posts are being lost.
“This action targets the most vulnerable and does little to inspire confidence in the ability of certain authorities to do other than attack the soft targets.
“All authorities should be aware of the implications of their proposed cuts in terms of effects on the delivery of a sound, modern education system. The SSTA questions whether certain authorities will continue to meet their legal obligations under the terms of current legislation.”
CoSLA has previously said councils were having to cope with the toughest budget since devolution and it had negotiated with the Scottish Government to ensure individual authorities had as much flexibility as possible in deciding how to make savings.