Tory Council Leader welcomes change on schools - but SNP says he is ‘flattering himself’ it was down to him

But his claim that this was in response to his own letter to the First Minister has been dismissed by the SNP group leader on the council, who said he was “flattering himself”.

Councillor Polson, who represents Bearsden South and leads the Conservative group, has campaigned against the proposed “blended learning” model which involves children returning to classrooms on a part-time basis.

Councillor Polson wrote to the First Minister, citing his own concerns as a father, which he said were shared by many other parents who had approached him.

Education Secretary John Swinney has subsequently abandoned the blended learning plan in favour of a return to full-time education in August.

Councillor Polson said: “This is a welcome u-turn from John Swinney, and I’m delighted that the First Minister has responded in such a way to my letter and campaign on behalf of the parents of this area, but it should not have come to this.

“The SNP’s model of ‘blended learning’ is no substitute for being in the classroom with a teacher for pupils,  and East Dunbartonshire  must now be given the resources to ensure a full-time return in August.

“It simply wasn’t good enough that pupils could have been facing that model for up to a year and there was no leadership given to councils from the SNP Education Secretary.

“This is a victory for parents, stakeholders and campaigning from the Scottish Conservatives into making the SNP Government think again about their misguided plans.”

However, Councillor Gordan Low, the SNP group’s leader on the council, said the decision had nothing to do with Councillor Polson’s activities. He said:  “Councillor Polson is flattering himself if he believes the First Minister’s announcement this week is in response to any letter from him.

“The government’s first and foremost responsibility is to keep pupils,  teachers and ancillary staff safe, and it is only as a result of the public behaving responsibly and making huge sacrifices that they were able to announce a 100 per cent return to school in August.

“However, the blended model of learning remains a contingency plan, dependent on the downward trajectory of infection rates.

“If Cllr Polson believes the proposals announced by East Dunbartonshire Council last Monday are ‘unnacceptable’, ‘unworkable’ and ‘misguided’, maybe as joint council leader it’s time be showed some leadership himself, and put in the effort to produce the more credible plan that our children and teachers deserve, rather than trying to blame the Scottish Government for his own administration’s inadequacies.”

Mr Swinney said last week: “Since May, because of the efforts of ordinary people to stay at home, we have seen Scotland make significant progress. There are now only around 2000 infectious people in Scotland – a reduction of around 90 per cent since May.

“There has been a sustained downward trend in Covid-19 deaths since the end of 20-26 April, and intensive care cases now stand at a fraction of what they were.

“If we stay on track, if we all continue to do what is right, and if we can further suppress this terrible virus, then the government believes that we should prepare for children to be able to return to school full time from August.

“A return to full time schooling would enhance the life chances of our children and young people and start to reverse any damaging impacts of recent months.

“I must stress: this is the aim that the government is now working towards. However, because it has to be achieved safely, it inevitably remains conditional and dependent upon ongoing scientific and health advice.

“But it is a change born out of the hard work and sacrifice of people in every part of the country, sticking to the guidance, staying at home and suppressing this virus.  In particular, we should highlight the many people who as parents have supported their children while continuing to hold down jobs and caring commitments.

“I want to commend the work of local authorities and school and early learning and childcare staff across Scotland for the way in which they have responded to this emergency.

“They have worked tirelessly to protect the interests of our children and young people – through our childcare hubs, ensuring ongoing provision of free school meals, delivering remote learning, and planning for the next term.

“I must emphasise the importance of Scotland staying on track if we are to make it a reality. We must continue to ensure the safety of pupils, teachers and staff by engaging in such contingency planning, and that is why Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education will continue with their scrutiny of the plans when the latest versions are submitted by local authorities tomorrow.

“Even with a return to full time education, it is imperative that we increase levels of digital inclusion, which is why we have already committed to a huge digital boost through the investment of £30 million to provide laptops and connectivity solutions for disadvantaged children and young people. This will include £25 million of funding to enable a roll out of digital devices to school pupils to enable them to study online.

“Finally, while we want to support the wellbeing of all our children and young people, we know lockdown has been particularly difficult for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Reducing the poverty-related attainment gap is a defining mission for this government.

“We will therefore be working alongside partners to increase support to those families and communities who need it most.”