Press Release
7th February 2002
Campbell Challenged to Withdraw
"Shameful Slur" on Classroom Assistants
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde,
Duncan McNeil, is calling on Scottish National Party MSP, Colin
Campbell, to withdraw his "shameful slur" on
Inverclyde’s 104 Classroom Assistants.
Mr Campbell provoked outrage in the Scottish Parliament this morning when, in a debate on class sizes, he branded Classroom Assistants as "nose-wipers and pencil sharpeners."
Speaking after the debate, Mr McNeil said:
"Classroom Assistants are vital to improving the quality of education our children receive.
"They allow teachers to spend more time teaching and planning. They make sure pupils stick to their work and encourage good working practices. They work with groups of pupils on practical tasks, reinforcing learning and increasing participation.
"I am outraged that Mr Campbell – a former headmaster – could condemn them with such a shameful slur.
"I have written to Mr Campbell, calling on him to publicly withdraw his comments and apologise to every one of Inverclyde’s 104 hardworking Classroom Assistants."
Mr McNeil has also written to SNP Education
Spokesman, Michael Russell, asking that he clarify whether Mr
Campbell’s comments represent official SNP education policy
and whether the party proposes to scrap the system, making the
Classroom Assistants redundant.
ENDS
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