'Put weans before money' Defiant teachers protest with parents

Defiant teachers have demanded the city put “weans before money” while protesting “unthinkable cuts”.

Furious parents and teachers opposed plans to axe 450 teaching posts in the next three years, as well as the removal of MCR Pathways coordinators from secondary schools.

The massive cuts come as Glasgow City Council is required to make £108m of savings from public services.

The demonstration was held at Govan Cross to challenge Richard Bell who is the local councillor and treasurer of the local authority.

Sean O'Neill protested the major cuts (Image: Colin Mearns)

Activist Sean O’Neill said “he will not lose his job” despite having his role threatened as one of 11 developing young workforce employees.

They face unemployment due to lack of confirmation of Scottish Government funding.

The 27-year-old young dad works with vulnerable students by mentoring and preparing them for higher education and jobs.

Sean said: “I definitely will not be losing my job, that is a fact, because this campaign is going to win.

“Our service is subject to cuts. We are to stand against it by sending a message to the treasurer of Glasgow city who is the councillor for this area.

“Ricky Bell needs to put weans before money, and education before degradation.

“These cuts are generational. It is some of the worst cuts I've seen in my lifetime.

“Losing 450 teachers in three years is unthinkable. This campaign has also shown how important the MCR pathways are to our care experienced youth are to this city.

“I'm proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone here who is protecting the young people's services.”

Parents protested the cuts (Image: Colin Mearns)

Susan Quinn who has been a teacher for 35 years said: “There are big cuts coming that are going to affect young people in Glasgow.

“Morale for teachers is low, these planned budget cuts are having a terrible effect.”

Council spokeswoman said: “The Treasurer, the City Convener for education and early years, and the city convener for Workforce have all met with the GCPG to discuss the budget savings for education with a commitment to feedback information after each political oversight group meeting.

“Two representatives also sit on the education, early years and skills committee and can ask questions at this forum which includes the Executive Director of Education.

“Information on the February budget savings of £108million have been in public domain since then and have been reported across several platforms and channels.

“Applying the new staffing formula – which was first discussed a week after the budget - has resulted in less than a third of our primary schools where the headteacher is the only member of the senior management team not class committed, and this is a fluid situation as we have still to place around 200 probationers across the city.

“Officers will continue to support our headteachers and their schools during this time.

“At every stage we will do everything we can to minimise any impact to schools but in the current financial climate the council must look at every option.

“We know that this will be a worrying time for everyone - for many years education spending has been prioritised, relative to other services, in the budget process.

“However, with the education budget now amounting to more than half of service expenditure directed by the council, it is significantly more challenging to protect education when substantial savings are needed.”