Protect education at all costs

AS a headteacher who is allowed to bring to the attention of the public the catostrophic effects of cuts proposed – because I have retired – I wish to ask the councillors involved three questions:

Do you realise that you are about to tear up unilaterally the nationally agreed McCrone Agreement which gave primary school management and staff, for the first time ever, adequate management time, preparation time and classroom support? A provision which was fought for over many, many years is going to be removed at the stroke of an accountant’s pen.

Do you realise that you are to sack hundreds of highly motivated, skilled and totally committed supporters of children’s education? The smokescreen of transfer to a few learning support posts is just that – a cynical ploy to sweeten the bitter pill in the public’s eyes.

How are you going to face primary staff and parents in future when you have signed away the staffing which makes modern primaries the effective and successful establishments they are? Parents and staff trusted you with the responsibility for their children’s education – no longer!

Tell your officials to go and think again. While education is the biggest cost within the budget, it used also, quite rightly, to have the highest priority. There are areas of spending in other council departments that could provide further significant savings which would not affect the long term future of the Highlands. Our children are that future and their education must be protected at all costs.

Alasdair Maclean, Househill Gate, Nairn.