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The Labour-led
Scottish Executive has taken investment in Scottish schools to record levels
The
Labour-led Scottish Executive has taken investment in Scottish schools to
record levels, with over £3.9 billion being spent on Scottish education last
year. Allan Wilson MSP believes the extra investment in modern classrooms
and better equipment is helping to raise attainment and creates
opportunities for pupils in North Ayrshire.
The Cunninghame North MSP also believes that the nationwide £35 billion a
year public spending cuts proposed by the Tories would devastate Scottish
public services and put at risk future investment in Scottish education.
Allan Wilson said:
“Children in North Ayrshire deserve a quality education, with modern
equipment, in a modern classroom. I know that parents want the very best
education for their children and I am delighted that funding in education
has risen consistently since 1999, and has now reached nearly £4 billion per
year. This investment in our children’s’ future is vital if they are to
reach their full potential and take advantage of future employment
opportunities that will be increasingly skills orientated” said Mr Wilson
“Here in North Ayrshire spending has risen dramatically and new schools such
as Dykesmains, Mayfield and Beith Primaries are vastly improving the
learning experience of children in this area”
“Total gross Revenue spending on Primary schools in North Ayrshire has
increased by a massive £17.25m from 1999- 2004 and on secondary schools by
£18.68m over the same period“ said Mr Wilson
“Spending per pupil on a per capita basis has also increased substantially
since the formation of the Scottish Parliament with North Ayrshire now able
to spend £3644 for every primary school pupil and £5110 for every secondary
school pupil in the area compared to £2025 and £3178 respectively in 1999.
Both figures are above the average for pupil spend in Scotland and
demonstrate the commitment to education by both local and national
government in North Ayrshire” said Mr Wilson.
“The Labour-led is Executive is committed to putting public services first
and reversing the years of under investment that Scotland suffered under the
Tories. That is why the Tories’ plans to cut UK public spending by £35
billion would be so damaging. These Tory plans would hit the frontline hard.
They would have a knock-on effect to the Scottish block grant and severely
damage the Executive’s plans to increase investment in our frontline public
services, including our children’s education.”
“New schools and extra educational infrastructural improvement and
development as well as additional teaching and other support staffs across
the constituency, from Ardrossan to Arran, would be adversely affected by
these proposals “ said Mr Wilson
Education Minister Peter Peacock added:
“This Executive has committed itself to sorting out the legacy of years of
under investment in schools. Across the board – from pre-school and primary
to secondary and special education - the money is delivering results. Our
pupils’ attainment is rising and Scotland ranks among the top performing
nations in the world in education. Our investment is to ensure more success
in the future.”
“This continued, and unprecedented, investment in education reflects our
commitment to all Scotland's young people and our determination to ensure
each and every one gets the chance to be all they can be.”
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