Parents at Melrose Primary in the Borders are exploring the possibility of paying for a teacher Parents at a Borders primary school are considering paying for a teacher out of their own pockets in the face of anticipated council cutbacks.They are willing to spend up to ?30,000-a-year to ensure teacher levels at Melrose Primary are not reduced.
A spokesman for the EIS teaching union said it was the first time he had heard of such a proposal in Scotland.
The move has won support from parent council members who are now studying the legalities.
The issue was raised at a meeting with Scottish Borders Council's director of education Glenn Rodger involving parents from the 342-pupil school.
Parent council spokesman Jamie Buchanan said there were growing concerns that staffing numbers in Melrose might come "under the microscope".
"We are seeking clarity on how the education department intends to reduce their budgets over the next year, and while we remain unclear about the future we must seek a variety of options," he said.
Continue reading the main storyIt would be disappointing if parents felt so strongly they had to go this far but we understand why they would want to do that”End Quote Brian Cooper Educational Institute for Scotland "We are currently investigating the legalities of paying for a teacher separately, but we need to maintain the excellent work that is ongoing at the school and having the right number of teachers is essential."
Scottish Borders Council's education convener George Turnbull did not rule out the idea.
He said: "If this move was to come about, it certainly would be unique in this area, and with the continued financial pressure we will be under over the next few years we must investigate all the options that are presented to us.
"There is no doubt that any such move would need to meet strict criteria, as I would not like to see one teacher with different working conditions.
"I am already aware of other parent councils in other parts of Scotland who have paid for specialist items within schools but to spend around ?30,000 on a teacher is certainly quite innovative."
He confirmed that due to the size of the school roll, teacher numbers could be reduced from 14 to 13 next year and still meet Scottish government guidelines for class sizes.
Mr Rodger is currently working out staffing levels for the forthcoming 2011/12 year at all schools in the Scottish Borders
He said: "I met with parents in Melrose to discuss a range of issues around provision of education.
"Staffing was one area that was discussed and a number of suggestions were made.
"We have agreed to follow up ideas in principle and the notion of parents and communities becoming more involved in education locally was one interesting discussion area."
'Adequate funding'Brian Cooper of the Educational Institute of Scotland said it was the first time he had heard of parents paying for a teacher's salary north of the border.
He said: "Obviously the preference is for adequate funding to be provided at national and local authority for education.
"But we fully understand that parents want the best for their children.
"There is a long history of parents actively supporting schools with equipment and donations but this would be a new angle to that by paying for a teacher's salary.
"It would be disappointing if parents felt so strongly they had to go this far but we understand why they would want to do that."
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