Rennie urges a real improvement for Fife schools

8.36.51pm GMT Wed 25th Jan 2006

Rennie: Local parents want to know what the council is doing for their children and they deserve clear answers

Willie Rennie, Liberal Democrat candidate in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, has accused Labour-run Fife Council of failing local education. He is now calling on the council to drive up standards with more teachers and smaller class sizes.

Speaking after a visit to a local nursery school, Willie Rennie said:

"Everyone agrees that our teachers do a fantastic job. I have seen the evidence for myself at Inverkeithing Nursery but there are far too many primary and secondary schools elsewhere in our area where, despite the best efforts of our teachers, education standards are well below average.

"Labour run Fife Council has failed our schools for too long. Action to transform our schools and dramatically improve local education is long overdue.

"Parents tell me that they support the Liberal Democrats' policies for more teachers and smaller class sizes. We are giving councils such as Fife the opportunity to introduce these policies through extra investment announced in December.

"Over the next two years there will be enough money for 92 more teachers. I hope that Fife Council comes forward with detailed proposals on how it intends to make best use of this significant investment.

"Local parents want to know what the council is doing for their children and they deserve clear answers."