05 November 2004
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has attacked education reforms announced by the Scottish Executive.
Head teachers in Scotland are to be given more control over their budgets in a further shift of power from councils to schools under plans announced this week by Education Minister Peter Peacock.
Cosla education convener Ewan Aitken said the management of school education was best provided by local authorities, which were accountable to their communities. He said: 'Councils are the cornerstone in managing and delivering school education.'
Peacock said the reforms were 'the most comprehensive schools modernisation programme for a generation'.
A series of key reforms include a new excellence standard for top-performing schools, a review of the exams system, a new leadership academy and 'schools of ambition programme' to fast-track changes in schools most in need of improvement.
Devolved school management will be extended so that head teachers have more money to spend at their discretion. They will also have three-year budgets and a greater say over staffing structures.
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