Smith: Attainment figures must be wake up call for government (Paisley Liberal Democrats)

Paisley Liberal Democrats <smcdonald21@ntlworld.com>

Smith: Attainment figures must be wake up call for government

March 23, 2010 5:00 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Attainment statistics released by the Scottish Government show the average tariff score in 2008/09 for pupils in the most deprived areas is 124 while in the least deprived areas it is 230. These figures reflect no change in the gap between least and most deprived since 2007/08. Commenting Liberal Democrat Education Spokeswoman, Margaret Smith MSP said:

"It is unacceptable that the gap between pupils attainment from the most deprived and least deprived areas has not changed in the past year.

"Liberal Democrat plans for a pupil premium will give disadvantaged children a fair start in life, regardless of where they go to school. This will give schools the ability to improve standards as they see fit.

"This survey should be a serious wake up call for the Education Secretary. He must sort out Scotland's education problems.

"These problems in attainment have no doubt been exacerbated by the SNP's savage teacher cuts which have seen teacher numbers drop by over 2000 since the SNP came to power.