South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has said the SNP should publish a delayed review of Scotland’s education system immediately.
Scottish Conservative Brian made the call as the SNP were defeated in the Scottish Parliament with all opposition parties backing a demand to release a review by the internationally respected Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) before the election.
The report was initially due to be published this month but the SNP have now said it won’t be released until June, following May’s election.
Brian accused the SNP of trying to hide the report because they’re worried it’s findings might damage their chances in the election. The vote in parliament was the latest in a series of defeats for the SNP, which have criticised their performance in managing Scotland’s education system.
With many parents and pupils worried about how to make up for the time in the classroom that’s been lost during the pandemic, Brian backed plans by the Scottish Conservatives for a national catch-up plan.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“This education report is sitting on John Swinney’s desk right now, but rather than publish it, the Scottish Government want to sit on it until after the election. It’s hard to imagine that if the OECD had given the SNP a glowing report John Swinney would hesitate for a moment to publish it.
Politicians from every other party are united in calling for this report to be published now. It’s totally unacceptable for the SNP to try and avoid scrutiny in this way because they’re afraid of how it will affect their chances at the election.
Having an effective education system has never been more important than it will be as we look to make up for pupils lost classroom time. That must start with a Scottish Government willing to face up to its own failings and listen to constructive proposals from other parties.
Parents and pupils deserve better than an SNP government that’s more concerned with poll ratings than pupils’ achievement.”
