MSP PRAISES EDUCATION COMMITMENT IN FACE OF TORY, LABOUR AND LID DEM OPPOSITION
SNP Government education funding has boosted teacher numbers across North Ayrshire – part of an increase of 543 teachers across Scotland – as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to education.
Teacher numbers in North Ayrshire have risen from 1,371 in 2016 to 1, 396 in 2017 – while the number across Scotland has substantially increased to 51,513 – a 543 increase on last year, with 666 full-time equivalent teachers being funded through the Attainment Scotland Fund, money that the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems voted against.
There has also been an improvement in the pupil teacher ratio across Scotland, while skills in reading, writing, listening, talking and numeracy are strong – with the proportion of S3 pupils achieving Curriculum for Excellence Third Level or better being between 88% and 91% for each skillset.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, said:
“These figures prove that the SNP Government’s approach is working for schools across North Ayrshire and throughout Scotland.
Despite Tory, Labour and Lib Dem opposition, the SNP is delivering funding aimed at increasing teacher numbers and cutting the attainment gap – and this is already bearing fruit.
We now have 25 more teachers in North Ayrshire than we did this time last year, and an additional 543 across Scotland. With this record of delivery, it is no surprise that pupils are performing strongly across reading, writing, listening, talking and numeracy.
The SNP has made closing the attainment gap a key priority of this parliament – and these latest statistics show that our efforts are making progress on this, with 666 full-time equivalent teachers across Scotland being funded by the Attainment Scotland Fund.
It is important that we don’t get complacent and keep working to improve education in Scotland – but given the clear progress that has been made, it would be good to see the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems dropping their political opposition and getting behind our positive efforts to support our young people across North Ayrshire.”
Ruth Maguire MSP 