First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was brutally reprimanded during First Minister's Questions as a quote from an SNP Councillor criticising her leadership was revealed.
Sturgeon faced questions about proposals drawn up by officials at Glasgow City Council which could see 800 teaching posts cut to save money.
Teaching unions said they are “desperately worried” about the proposals, warning they would have a detrimental impact on the city’s young people.
Plans also include shutting primary schools across Glasgow early on Fridays to help cut £51 million from the education budget, according to a document leaked to the Daily Record.
During First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Sturgeon was grilled by Douglas Ross, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party as he read a quote from Councillor Shona Morrison.
The SNP Councillor claimed the Scottish Government was not "prioritising" essential council services.
Nicola Sturgeon has been the SNP leader since 2014
Jane Barlow
Douglas Ross, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party said: “Let’s just look at quotes about the First Minister’s budget. This is from SNP councillor Shona Morrison, the leader of the Council umbrella group Cosla.
“SNP Councillor Shona Morrison said this: ‘The reality of this situation is that yet again, the essential services that councils deliver has not be prioritised by the Scottish government.”
Glasgow City Council is facing a £68 million shortfall for the year ahead and will set its budget next month.
The leaked document revealed that £22.5 million could be saved by looking at the way primary and secondary schools are staffed.
Proposals would affect pupil/teacher ratios - leading to 397 teaching posts affected.
Proposals by Glasgow City Council could see 800 teaching posts cut to save money
Jane Barlow
The scheme to cut the number of teachers by closing schools early on Fridays would affect 324 roles, which would save £18.5 million.
Sturgeon was quizzed on her promises she made when she became First Minister as MSP Ross continued: “More than six years ago Nicola Sturgeon made bold promises about education that it would be her number one priority.
"She claimed her government would close the attainment gap completely but yesterday her own education secretary rubbished Nicola Sturgeon’s promise.
“Shirley Anne Somerville said and this is a quote, ‘I think in reality that is exceptionally difficult if not impossible to achieve. To get to the point of zero’ so is the Education Secretary right that First Minister’s key promise is never going to happen.”
The First Minister responded saying: "Our commitment to substantially eliminate the poverty related attainment gap by 2026 still stands, I've said that in the Parliament before and I say it again today."
Having trouble logging in or commenting? Please contact us here.