Meeting with leading education officials in Highlands

27 August 2010

Labour MSPs Peter Peacock and Shadow Education Minister Des McNulty met leading education officials in Inverness today to learn about the challenges facing teachers and students across the region.

Highlands and Islands MSP Mr Peacock and Mr McNulty, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, spoke with with the Principal of UHI James Fraser and Highland Council's Director of Education Hugh Fraser.

Mr Peacock said: "UHI is a key project for the Highlands and Islands and we are now nearing the completion of its final hurdle in becoming a full university.

"This project has been supported strongly by Labour, as we believe it will benefit the region enormously.

"We heard from James Fraser about UHI's current position.

"We also heard from Hugh Fraser about the challenges Highland Council faces in delivering education in such a diverse region and discuss teacher numbers, teacher unemployment and the curriculum for excellence.

The council has confirmed that it will not meet the class sizes which the SNP promised."

Mr McNulty said: "Both Highland Council and UHI will face significant financial challenges as SNP budget cuts continue, with extra pressure still to come from the Liberal Tory cuts.

" We should be safeguarding the futures of our children not jeopardising them."

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart and Mr McNulty will also visit Porterfield Prison tomorrow( Saturday 28th.) to see the education services which are offered to inmates.