Both the Conservatives and New Labour are now following a right wing 'Middle England' agendaon education. Instead of using the Scottish system as an example the Tories prefer to changeour system to one which is as fragmented and socially divisive as the English system hasproved to be.
In true anti-Scottish style, the Tories forced the recent Scottish Education Bill throughits committee stages by drafting in three silent English Tories - and were aided and abettedby New Labour in doing so. Despite a lack of consultation and vigorous opposition fromparents, teachers, and local authorities, the Bill introduces nursery vouchers andcompulsory testing to Scotland.
New Labour are also following "a very right English, right-wing way" of dealing withScottish education and that is according to the Tories! And the Scottish Parent TeacherCouncil called Labour's recent education document 'an English document wearing a tartanskirt'.
New Labour ditched their commitment to free education this year when they proposed that theremaining student grant system be abolished and replaced with loans. This shows their totaldisregard not only for the principle of free education for all but also for the four yearScottish degree. The current loan system is an added burden to students studying for aScottish degree and could cost students an extra £1750 in student loans.
The SNP believe that Scotland's education system must continue to be based on equality ofaccess and the opportunity for all to develop their maximum potential. The SNP are committedto providing extra resources for 700 more teachers - at a cost of £20 million per annum -which would address problems of workload and increase the numbers of special needs staff. Wealso propose an additional £80 million of funding over four years for the repair ofcrumbling school buildings.
We have a long standing commitment to nursery education for all three and four year oldswhose parents wish it, at a cost of £194 million over four years. And at the other end ofthe education spectrum, we are committed to restoring grants and benefits to students - at acost of £90 million per annum - and improving employment prospects through job creation. TheSNP also support the establishment of a Highlands and Islands university as a collegiatebasis, and propose central government support towards the cost of developing such aninstitution.
Unlike other parties, the SNP have published detailed proposals for education in our budgetfor the first four years of an independent Scotland. The SNP's budget would generate anadditional £6.3 billion of revenues through a combination of taking people off the dole,extra North Sea revenues, additional Corporation Tax from enhanced economic activity, andsavings by withdrawing from Trident. This way we can spend money on providing education forlife.
Cllr Janet Law,
SNP Education Spokesperson
Convener of Perth and Kinross Council Education Committee
If you would like to know more about the SNP and HELP SCOTLAND contact snp.hq@snp.org.uk or visit the official the Scottish National Party web site.
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