A decision on whether to proceed with a contentious proposal to reduce the number of hours Falkirk pupils spend in class will not be made until at least December. Falkirk councillors have decided to delay the final decision on the plan, which aims to save the local council around £6 million over five years to address a budget shortfall of £56 million. The proposal to cut the school week has faced opposition from various groups.
The SNP administration and the Conservative group supported delaying the decision until after both the UK and Scottish Governments have announced their budgets, as this would provide a clearer financial picture. They are also waiting for the outcome of negotiations between the Scottish Government and councils’ group CoSLA on maintaining teacher numbers and learning hours. Failure to reach an agreement may result in the Scottish Government withholding £4.5 million in funding from Falkirk Council.
The SNP’s Education spokesperson highlighted the importance of these ongoing discussions and their implications for the decision-making process. The Labour group, backed by some Independents, called for the entire proposal to be scrapped to provide reassurance to parents and pupils about the future of education in Falkirk. The proposed changes would see a reduction in class hours for both primary and secondary pupils.
Parents have raised concerns not only about the impact on childcare but also about the potential disadvantage to their children from having fewer hours of instruction. Despite opposition, Falkirk Council officials argue that implementing the proposals is necessary to prevent more severe cuts to education due to the significant budget deficit. The director of education stressed the importance of protecting the curriculum and ensuring positive outcomes for students.
An independent councillor suggested delaying the decision until February for a clearer financial outlook, but a motion to postpone until the December meeting was narrowly passed. The plan, if approved, would result in no classes on Friday afternoons starting from August 2025, leading to a decrease in class hours for both primary and secondary pupils. The decision has sparked debate and concern among parents and educators in Falkirk.