The SNP candidate for the Tain and Easter Ross by-election has spoken of the need for greater patience and working together in order to provide the best possible educational outcomes for Highland pupils, especially those with Additional Support Needs (ASN).
Peter Newman, the 43-year-old vying for election to the seat vacated by former SNP councillor Derek Louden through ill health, is a teacher by profession and has held posts all over the Highlands.
Newman said:
“There is no point in pretending that everything is perfect in the garden of education but, it should also be said you catch more flies with honey.
He continued:
“Over a nearly 20 year career in teaching, I have worked at all four points of the compass in Highland, Dornoch, Wick, Ardnamurchan and Inverness.
“I’ve worked in affluent schools and schools with enormous deprivation.
“I saw the cuts which resulted from the 2008 financial crisis and I saw what happened when the Liberal Democrats decided to withdraw support from a coalition without warning in 2015 leading to an Independent-led administration.
“It was that administration which allowed itself to be convinced of the merits of the Sustainable Education in Highlands programme.
“And, it was this policy document which led to the appointment of a Chief Executive who started with the premise that ASN was at too high a level, despite the unique circumstance of Highland not being taken into account and the use of an algorithm to determine need.
“It is the easiest thing in the world to point out people’s mistakes and rabble rouse.
“But this SNP and Independent administration is working hard to make sure that there is a coherent, Highland-wide investment plan which is just, evenly distributed and fair.
“That can be tricky, but it is correct.
“When I see Lib Dem posts saying, “Mainstreaming and inclusion is just not working at present.
“The SNP Government must wake up to the scale of the issue before the system breaks,” I am offended.
“I am offended because some of my most memorable pupils ever are those who have had the most profound ASN conditions.
“But I am also offended because of the inaccuracy: the Scottish Government doesn’t control ASN provision, councils do.
The break up of Highland Council will not fix education in Highland, it will decimate it.
The break up of Highland Council will not fix ASN provision, it will ensure that the most vulnerable learners are guaranteed a life without achieving the academic, social and skills-based learning journey they are guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“We can only achieve this by working, constructively, together.
“Whoever is elected in the Tain and Easter Ross by-election has a responsibility to the people of Tain and Easter Ross, but they are also going to be elected to a wider body with the duty to try and achieve the best for everyone in Highland, irrespective of where they live.
“It is not always an easy job nor balance to achieve.
“Incidentally, it seems an odd strategy for the Liberal Democrats to promote.
“After all, it was Andrew Baxter, their MSP candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who, checks notes, was the former Chair of the Care, Learning and Housing committee as an Independent on his way to the Lib Dems, via the Tories.
“That’s the same committee which sanctioned the savage cuts to ASN support via algorithm and the same Baxter who signed off on that Sustainable Education in Highlands programme saying, “I am pleased to see that the Sustainable Education in Highlands programme is moving forward with drive and determination.”
“Perhaps, with a little more team work, we might be able to get back to doing what schools do best, supporting every young person to achieve their best.”
