Thursday afternoon saw the council administration finally cut the specialist teachers involvement in the Primary schools. Here is SNP Councillor Gordon Murray's opening regarding the specialist teachers :
"...the cut taking specialist teaching out of primary education. The feeling in the community is thyat this is and always has been highly valued.
"The Scottish Government report on physical education - the guidelines are for two hours quality PE per week - quality is an integral part of that statement. We have core PE at S5-S6 , that is 16 year olds made to go to PE classes - should we not have a complete review of the provision of PE from Primary to Secondary. Should we not have the specialists in helping our youngest to have the best possible starts.
"We have done so well in the sporting arenas, should we nt be building on that - school teams doing so well on the mainland, fantastic performances in the Island Games - are we going to reduce rather than increase investment, take away rather than build on it.
"Music and art are also paramount when it comes to our cultural heritage - for example the Mods. I hear that private music tuition have huge waiting lists and are there many opportunities for children in terms of art - sometimes school is the only place.
"We should be building on the successes of the Hebridean Celtic Festival, Sounds in the Grounds, and a fantastic music scene that has emerged in the last number of years.
"An argument that has presented itself is that it is not mandatory, I think we should be proud that ur council and, in particular, the Education Department have provided it in the past - should we lower our own standards to be at the same level as mainland authorities - we really need to show the mainland, and have the confidence to show other local authorities how they should be investing in music, art and PE in primary.
"If we cut this, remove it completely, it will be far harder, maybe impossible to re-introduce - are you sure you want to make this decision, to pull this investment and lessen the experience for our primary children."
Councillors who voted to support this investment in our young children:
Gordon Murray
Rae Mackenzie
Philip Maclean
Donald Manford
John A Maciver
Kenny Macleod
Donnie Steele
A journal written by the SNP opposition group on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).
