In the second change to the Scottish Government’s front bench and the first to its cabinet, Michael Russell has been promoted to the post of Education Secretary.

He replaces Fiona Hyslop whose handling of the important and emotive education brief has come under sustained criticism.

He leaves behind a set of responsibilities within the First Minister’s Office which have now been split. Ms Hyslop takes on the part of Mr Russell’s portfolio which was ‘Culture and External Affairs’. She has not been given his other responsibility for the constitution, which includes overseeing the propsoed referendum on Scottish independence.

First Minister, Alex Salmond, has announced that he himself is to take on that responsibility.

In explaining the move, the First Minister said that issues in schooling now needed a fresh look. He pointed out that the Government has achieved a record low in the sizes of classes in primary schools. Then he cited, as a matter of concern, the ongoing dispute between the Government and local authorities on the failure to bring down class sizes in secondary schools.

This will clearly be a key focus for the efforts of Michael Russell who has, since the SNP assumed Government in 2007, carried ministerial responsibilities for Environment, Culture and External Affairs, the Constitution and now Education at cabinet level.

Peter Peacock, former Minister for Education in a Labour-Liberal Democrat administration, said only on Friday (27th November): ‘To see the wholesale collapse in teacher numbers is appalling. The increase in numbers didn’t happen by accident, it took huge effort and commitment, but in two short years the SNP have undermined the improvements made and started a process of already massive decline in numbers. They should hang their heads in shame.

‘We have well qualified young teachers languishing on the doll because of the incompetence and neglect of this government.

‘In Highland the numbers have dropped by 83 since 2007 and their pupil teacher ratios have started to rise, in Moray there are 38 fewer teachers, and in Argyll and Bute 21. Between these three councils alone that represents over 140 jobs and lost opportunity for teachers, pupils and schools’.

Where does this reshuffle leave the Culture department, though? We predict a return to the ‘ferrets in a sack’ scenario that is the attempt to unite the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen under the umbrella of Creative Scotland.

The word of arts and culture is peopled by big egos, protecting their own patch, perpetually failing to see the bigger picture, gifted in the art of communications and reverberating excoriation, skilled in the art and and steeped in the culture of obstruction – often for proud cause.

Michael Russell had a chance of making sense of this ‘sheepdog and stun’ brief. How will Ms Hyslop fare?

Mr Russell is MSP for Dumfries and Galloway and has more than a foot in Argyll, spending weekends in Cowal and acting as a member of the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust.

Related Posts

• Culture: SNP make it roost for failed minister, Labour see it as ‘non job’ (8)
• Late – and brave – amendment to make Creative Scotland lead arts body (0)
• Jim Mather’s efforts to get Castle Toward parties together (12)
• Televised leadership debates at the General Election – as Cameron calls for ban on Salmond (4)
• Generation Green energy for Toward Primary School – National Grid contributor (1)

---

The Latest News from ForArgyll delivered via email, weekly or daily. You know it makes sense!

---

Comments (rss) | Respond | Ping | | Print This Post