Demonstration in support of ASN teachers to take place at Drummuie on Thursday
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A peaceful demonstration by the Highland Action Group for ASN (Additional Support Needs) and Education will be held at the Drummuie Council Buildings in Golspie on Thursday.
It is one of five such protests taking place throughout the region, as councillors meet for their final day of sessions before summer break.
The other locations are Highland Council HQ in Inverness; the Charles Kennedy Building, Fort William; Ullapool High School and Caithness House, Wick.
The Golspie demonstration will be between 11am-2pm.
The Highland Action Group say they are “appalled with the Highland Council’s proposal for a ‘re-design’ of ASN provision that will cut funding to support resources, eliminating large numbers of ASN teachers and Pupil Support Assistants (PSAs) across Highland’s schools.
Highland Action Group for ASN and Education representative, Carrie Watts says the demonstrations are meant to “show our support for the ASN teachers and PSAs who provide critical support to our children - ALL children - to allow them to succeed at school.”
She continued: “The Highland Council has shown that they are indifferent to the catastrophic impact on all students with the current proposal of removing more and more ASN teachers and PSAs from the classrooms and schools each year.
“These staff members provide stability, learning support, emotional support, and encouragement to vulnerable children, allowing classroom teachers to focus on the whole class. Without them, many students will be unable to cope in the school environment."
The urgency behind the need to demonstrate was highlighted last week when an
11 year old ASN student was removed from a Highland school by police van, a situation that stemmed from inadequate support provision for the student's
identified needs, say the group.
Carrie Watts continued: “With little data to support the HC proposal, it is time for the families and community of the Highlands to come together to ensure a safe and enriched learning environment for ASN and streamlined students alike. To ensure Highland’s future generation is strong and bright, our Council MUST do better.
They must show that they know that adequate classroom support is not a want, it is a
very real and immediate NEED.”
