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Education authority reform calls Education authority reform calls
(about 3 hours later)
Headteachers are calling on the Scottish Executive to replace Scotland's education authorities.Headteachers are calling on the Scottish Executive to replace Scotland's education authorities.
In a radical new document, the Headteachers' Association of Scotland (HAS) says the country's schools should be run by larger area boards.In a radical new document, the Headteachers' Association of Scotland (HAS) says the country's schools should be run by larger area boards.
Currently, schools are run by the 32 local authorities.Currently, schools are run by the 32 local authorities.
The union's general secretary Bill McGregor said the system spread money and talent too thinly. The councils' umbrella group dismissed the idea.The union's general secretary Bill McGregor said the system spread money and talent too thinly. The councils' umbrella group dismissed the idea.
HAS has launched its manifesto in the run-up to the Scottish parliamentary election.HAS has launched its manifesto in the run-up to the Scottish parliamentary election.
The union says there should be around eight boards, similar to the police or fire service.The union says there should be around eight boards, similar to the police or fire service.
Earlier this month, the then Education Minister Peter Peacock said he did not think 32 education authorities were sustainable.Earlier this month, the then Education Minister Peter Peacock said he did not think 32 education authorities were sustainable.
It would seem to us a much more logical approach to have a smaller number of larger education authorities HAS General Secretary Bill McGregor It would seem to us a much more logical approach to have a smaller number of larger education authorities Bill McGregorHAS general secretary
Mr McGregor said: "In the current situation of financial stringency we believe some authorities, quite frankly, are too small and it would seem to us a much more logical approach to have a smaller number of larger education authorities.Mr McGregor said: "In the current situation of financial stringency we believe some authorities, quite frankly, are too small and it would seem to us a much more logical approach to have a smaller number of larger education authorities.
"It is very difficult in some authorities to achieve the quality of control and quality assurance given their current financial positions."It is very difficult in some authorities to achieve the quality of control and quality assurance given their current financial positions.
"A larger organisation will be much better able to draw a larger pool of talent to ensure that accountability in Scottish education is in fact met.""A larger organisation will be much better able to draw a larger pool of talent to ensure that accountability in Scottish education is in fact met."
Mr McGregor said their proposed boards would still have local councillors, parents and school leaders as representatives.
'Less scrutiny''Less scrutiny'
Mr McGregor said their proposed boards would still have local councillors, parents and school leaders as representatives.
The manifesto also addressed school funding and staffing.The manifesto also addressed school funding and staffing.
Charlie Gray, education spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), said HAS was only interested in its members.Charlie Gray, education spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), said HAS was only interested in its members.
"Based on their manifesto this appears to mean less scrutiny, less democracy and less accountability," he said."Based on their manifesto this appears to mean less scrutiny, less democracy and less accountability," he said.
"On the up side for heads, if HAS get their way, they will have to work less and will earn more, and they will operate more distantly from the communities that their schools serve.""On the up side for heads, if HAS get their way, they will have to work less and will earn more, and they will operate more distantly from the communities that their schools serve."