Friday 14 March 2008

Loo-sers?


"PUPILS may have to take their own toilet rolls to school because of funding cuts. There are also fears parents will have to provide jotters, pens and pencils for their kids. Like other local authorities, Scottish Borders Council are cutting their education budget to make up for a council tax freeze. Balmoral Primary in Galashiels are so strapped that after fixed costs like wages have been paid, there is only £444 left for 2008-9. That has to cover books, jotters, photocopying, phone bills, toilet rolls, pens, pencils, art materials, postage and paper towels. One parent said: "We were told it has got so bad that we might have to provide our own toilet rolls and jotters. There would be no money for things like school trips."

Perhaps the Scottish Parliament could clean its windows less frequently and send them some loo rolls? What are we paying our taxes for?

"The council said: "Finding the two per cent savings required of schools is a challenge for head teachers. Finance staff from the authority are working with them to identify a solution. "We have allocated £200,000 to protect smaller schools and there is no question of jotters or hygiene material not being provided." So they will have loo rolls then.

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