Marlyn Glen queries Minister on Dundee nursery education provision

12 December 2008

MSP queries Minister on Dundee nursery education provision

Marlyn Glen is questioning SNP Minister Adam Ingram on how many more nursery teachers Dundee needs to meet the Scottish Government’s commitment to meet its promise on nursery provision in the city last year.

This follows a letter from Children’s Minister Adam to Ms. Glen saying,

"The Scottish Government expects all local authorities will deliver the commitment to a teacher for all pre-school children on the basis of local needs and circumstances, and that the overall level of teacher involvement in pre-school education will increase."

Ms. Glen said,

" The SNP’s position has shifted significantly on this issue.

"The ill-defined ‘access to a fully-qualified nursery teacher for every nursery-age child‘ in Dundee has been watered down to the equally vague ‘ a teacher for all pre-school children on the basis of local needs and circumstances.’

" Being taught full-time by a teacher and ‘having access to one’ or ‘a teacher for all pre-school chidlren’ are not all the same thing.

" I am asking the SNP Government how many whole time equivalent GTC Scotland registered teachers they say are currently employed providing pre-school education in Dundee, and how that number compares the number needed to meet their election commitment last year on nursery education in Dundee."