Reduced School Week

Plans to reduce the primary school week should be abandoned, according to the Liberal Democrats in Fife.

The party want Fife Council to rule out reducing hours from 25 to 22.5 each week.

Lib Dems claim the local authority has failed to make the case for change and to provide sufficient evidence that it will not have a detrimental effect on the quality of education in the region.

Willie Rennie, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said:

"If such a dramatic change was to be made sound research evidence would be required.  This has not been provided. Simply claiming that because some counties have shorter school weeks for primary school ages pupils, but better education results, does not equate to sound evidence.  Parents have not been convinced by the flimsy evidence provided.

"Fife would be the only council in Scotland that would have taken the decision to cut the primary school week.  Cutting class time by 10% is a considerable reduction and the council has failed to show how the quality of the teaching in the remaining 22.5 hours would rise sufficiently to make up for the lost hours."

Councillor Tim Brett, Leader of Fife Liberal Democrat Councillors, said: 

"Parents have been rightly concerned by this suggestion as it not only affects the education of the child but also would have a significant impact on childcare arrangements and costs.  It may be possible for the Education Service to save money but the costs should not then fall onto parents and carers.

"I can understand that the council is under financial pressure and therefore needs to look for services to cut.  However, to make such a change without any evidence to support it would be irresponsible.

"The council should rule out this suggestion now so that parents and staff can focus on the other changes that the council is considering."

Fife Council says the idea is not a firm proposal but is under consideration and featured in a recent public consultation.

Shelagh McLean, Directorate Resources Manager said: 

"We've had some really good feedback from parents and appreciate people's anxiety around some of the ideas we shared. It was absolutely our purpose to have these discussions, so we could hear people's thoughts, concerns and additional ideas. This petition will contribute to this feedback. "