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Classroom supplies cut in schools |
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Friday, 02 June 2006 |
This year's Council budget involved large cuts in order to fund the Equal Pay settlement and freeze the Council Tax. At the time Labour councillors assured us that savings could be made out of available resources and through efficiencies.
However, as the weeks go by, the details of the cuts are gradually emerging. We already knew there was to be no capital expenditure this calendar year, children's home closures, fewer nursery teachers, and cuts to voluntary sector grants. Now it is also clear that schools are suffering.
The budget for classroom supplies is being severely reduced, in some cases by 20%. This means less money for books, paper, and other basic essentials. One secondary school got £86,000 in 2005-06 and is only getting £69,000 in 2006-07.
SNP Councillor, John Mason, said, "It is widely known that Glasgow schools struggle to meet national standards. To impose these draconian cuts on these most essential parts of their budgets seems little short of scandalous. The Education Committee in the Council is always assured that things are going well. But when you attend school boards and speak to staff and parents you find out what is really going on."
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