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Measures to support lower school class sizes
20/11/2007
A range of statistics relating to pupils in Scotland were published this morning.
Commenting on the latest figures Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
"The trend of falling school rolls is projected to continue, falling from a total of 702.7 (thousands) in 2006, before rising again in 2015 and reaching 679.8 in 2024.
"And primary school numbers are also forecast to fall until 2014, before rising again, which will further enable national and local government to deliver year on year progress in reducing class sizes in primaries 1-3. The rate of progress across local authorities will vary depending on local school rolls and circumstances.
"To help achieve lower class sizes, we will deliver more than 20,000 new teachers in training - the greatest number since devolution, and £115 million extra capital for local authorities in 2008/09 which can be invested in schools, as part of a 15 per cent increase in capital spending over the next three years. And, of course, for the first time local government will be able to retain efficiency savings to re-invest in local services.
"These are substantial additional resources to help secure the important objective of lower class sizes in the early years.
"Early intervention - such as cutting class sizes - will be the hallmark of this government's education policies. We believe that providing help and support at this vital early stage can make a real difference to a child's lifelong prospects.
"We're already seeing the difference such policies can make. For instance, Early Years Minister Adam Ingram is in West Dunbartonshire today, seeing how they have improved literacy levels through the use of phonics. While it will be for individual councils to find the solutions that work for them, this project clearly shows the benefits of early intervention."