OVER 8,000 teachers and parents from all over Scotland marched in Glasgow today (Saturday) in protest at education cuts being imposed by councils. A healthy Argyll and Bute turnout marched in the knowledge that 30 teachers jobs are set to go in the region within four months – and that a less than certain future awaits the teaching profession locally. Dunoon Grammar School was well represented.

Demonstrators marched from Kelvingrove Park to SECC, where a rally was held. The marchers heard EIS president Helen Connor give an impassioned speech, launching a union campaign called “Why must our children pay?” and claiming that the march was only the beginning.

She said: "Now, we must build on this strong support today and build a long-term campaign to defend Scottish education and to protect the level of funding invested in our schools, colleges and universities.

"Our young people are worth that investment, and the future prosperity of our country depends on these very same young people.

"By cutting back funding now, by seeking the cheap option to their education, the government will damage not only our children's futures but the future of our entire country. We simply cannot allow that to happen."

She also criticised the Scottish government's record, saying there were fewer teachers than when the SNP came to power.

Education Secretary Mike Russell, however, believes Scotland must unite against any Westminster cuts.

He said: "The fact is that the UK Government has already cut the Scottish Government's budget by over £500 million in 2010/11 - the first real terms cut since devolution.

"So far, education has been protected by the SNP Government, with councils reporting planned increases of 2.6 per cent this year.

"That has delivered record levels of spending per pupil - at levels significantly higher than south of the border - but this will be under real threat if the Westminster parties get their way and impose 'savage cuts' on Scotland."

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