THE number of "super-sized" Scottish primary school with classes of more than 30 children has risen by more than a third, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats
Between 2012 and 2016 the number of these classes rose from 1,687 to 2,287 with 71, 309 children affected, up from 52,445 over the period. The figures have also been rising steadily year-on-year during that time.
The Scottish LibDems blame the increase on SNP "mismanagement", arguing that the rising class sizes makes the key Scottish Government priority of closing the gap in attainment between affluent pupils and the less well off harder to attain.
The party's education spokesman Tavish Scott said: "We already know that the average class size is at its highest in years. Now these new figures reveal that the number of children being taught in super-size classes has soared.
"Almost 20,000 more children are being taught in classes of 30 or above compared to 2012. There are 143 more super-size classes in Glasgow and approaching 100 additional large classes in Edinburgh.
"Smaller classes do help pupils learn and help teachers contact with children who need extra help. So increasing class sizes make it harder to close the attainment gap."
He continued, "The impact of a decade of mismanagement by the SNP is clear. Tens of thousands of children are being taught in super-size classes. Thousands of teachers and support staff have been lost to schools and to Scottish education. Pupils returning to school this week have been met by hundreds of teaching vacancies."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "In 2010, we legislated to reduce the maximum class size in Primary 1 to 25, its lowest-ever level. We are reforming the education system to close the poverty-related attainment gap and target resources at the children, schools and communities which most need them.
"We are investing £88 million this year so every school has access to the right number of teachers, and securing places for all probationers who want them."
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