Published: Friday, 5th September, 2008 12:30pm

Council slammed over teacher redundancies

Scottish Borders Council has been slammed for its decision to pay-off two Peebles High School teachers in a bid to make efficiency savings.

The two are among six Borders teachers to be made redundant following an SBC announcement this week.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame, herself a former secondary teacher, said the redundancies were entirely avoidable and suggested that savings could have been made instead from what she described as a 'top-heavy' management structure.

She said: 'This decision to axe frontline teachers is not only avoidable but inexcusable. There are more than enough chiefs sitting comfortably at Scottish Borders Council"s Headquarters in what I believe to be a top-heavy management structure.

'It looks that they have opted instead to attack frontline staff which I find utterly deplorable, particularly amongst those teaching staff who work in outdoor education.

'This is one area of education that should be expanded because the long-term benefits hugely outweigh the short-term costs associated with supporting outdoor education.'

Director of Education and and Lifelong Learning, Glenn Rodger, confirmed that there have been three redundancies in the Outdoor Education Service and a further three teaching posts across the secondary sector. This has come as a result of the recent budget process as well as specific requirements such as changes in school rolls and subject uptake.

Executive member for Education Catriona Bhatia added: "Individual headteachers are also the senior managers of their schools and it is up to them how they control their budgets.

'Overall our teaching numbers have actually increased across our schools this term but sometimes difficult decisions have to be made in accordance with the subject demand by students and within available budget."

Michael Pryor, Chairman of Peebles High School Parent Council said: 'Teacher redundancies are unfortunate and regrettable and we will be raising the matter at our next meeting. Parents will be concerned because it"s such a sensitive issue and it will be the first item on our agenda.'

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