EK Dad takes fight for parents’ contract to Scottish Parliament

Oct 8 2008 by David Wynn, East Kilbride News

A FATHER who is locked in a battle with the authorities over his daughter’s education is taking his case to the Scottish Parliament.

Paul Tierney will urge MSPs to create a ‘parents’ contract’, protected by law, which ensures children receive their core lessons from a teacher who specialises in that subject.

In Scotland the law currently only applies to religious education and Gaelic.

The Lindsayfield man will present his case to the Public Petitions Committee at Holyrood on November 4.

Paul started his one-man campaign after his daughter, Denise, was without a dedicated English teacher for 10 weeks in the run-up to her standard grade prelim exams in 2007.

His hearing at the parliament will mark the latest chapter in a journey that has seen him take his case to every relevant authority in the land.

Paul, 46, said: “This would seem to be the last option available to try and ensure that children are taught core subjects such as English and maths by teachers who specialise in those subjects.

“In England and Wales the curriculum is prescribed in statute, but that is not the case in Scotland. The only two subjects that Scottish schools must teach are religious education and Gaelic, in Gaelic speaking areas.

“To my mind that is simply not acceptable. As a parent my side of the contract is to ensure my children attend school and, therefore, I think it only fair that the schools have a contract to stick to also; that they will provide proper teaching while my child is there.

“Every child in Scotland should be given an equal opportunity to be taught the curriculum by a qualified teacher in that subject, and the local council should be held accountable if they fail to do so.”

Paul’s plight came to light earlier this year when he tried to sue South Lanarkshire Council for £250 to cover the costs he paid to a private tutor while his daughter was without a dedicated English teacher. He later had to drop the action after the council attempted to move the case from the small claims court to the sheriff court, which could have left toolmaker Paul facing substantial legal fees.

Over the past year he has contacted SLC, East Kilbride MSP Andy Kerr, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, H.M Inspectorate of Education, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Minister Fiona Hyslop. But he claims this has simply led to further frustration and proves there is a lack of accountability over children’s education.

Paul added: “I believe this is an extremely important issue and I just hope I have more success at the parliament than I have had going through the other avenues.”

lDo you agree with Paul Tierney? E-mail dwynn@s-un.co.uk with your views.