SMALLER CLASSES FOR SCOTLAND'S YOUNGEST PUPILS

SMALLER CLASSES FOR SCOTLAND'S YOUNGEST PUPILS

SNP DELIVER CLASS SIZE CUT

The announcement from Fiona Hyslop that the Scottish Government will place a legal cap on primary 1 class sizes of 25 has been welcomed today as a sign of the Government’s commitment to lower class sizes.

Despite announcing that class sizes would be reduced to 25, Labour failed to achieve the target and failed to change the law – preventing local authorities legally keeping classes below 30 pupils.

As part of the SNP’s move toward class sizes in P1-P3 of 18, setting a new lower legal limit is a major step.

SNP MSP and Deputy Convener of the Parliament’s Education Committee Kenneth Gibson said:

"Under the SNP class sizes are at a record low and are on their way down even further.

"Labour clearly need a history lesson when it comes to class sizes. Labour left over 17,000 primary 1 children in classes over 25 in contrast the SNP has reduced class sizes and P1 classes are at their lowest level ever.

“Labour failed to cut class sizes to 25 and failed to put legislation in place that would allow schools to stay within that target.

"The SNP is not just meeting the legal need of schools, teachers and parents to keep class sizes down - we are meeting the need of Scotland's children.

"With a cap of 25 councils know their work toward classes of 18 can not be undone by the courts.

"Local authorities have the resources - now they have the legal right and responsibility that was always missing under Labour."