Glasgow councillor warns schools 'using cupboards to teach children in need of additional support'

Schools in Glasgow have been using cupboards for children in need of additional services, a councillor has warned.

The local politician also said schools are lacking doors and teachers have been buying pegs for children to hang jackets on.

Councillor Jill Pidgeon revealed the issues at a full council meeting as she asked a question about how much capital investment is going towards maintenance in schools.

Describing her discoveries during recent school visits, the Labour councillor said: “I have visited schools were store cupboards have been used as spaces for children in need of additional services. They don’t have doors – classrooms have been divided by cupboards. Teachers are paying out of their own pockets for pegs for children to put their jackets on.”

The Labour councillor asked for a review of school buildings looking at whether they are fit for purpose.

Replying to her query, councillor Laura Doherty requested that councillor Pidgeon supply details of specific examples.

Explaining work taking place in schools, councillor Doherty said: “Glasgow’s school estate has benefited from substantial capital investment over the past two decades.”

The convenor for neighbourhood services and assets said in 2013 the council launched a £255m investment programme for primaries and nurseries to make sure buildings were not in poor condition and in 2017 another £50m was invested to construct new schools and fund extensions.

The SNP councillor added: “More recently £37m has been committed to the new Gaelic medium education school and the former St James primary site in the Calton and the redevelopment of Linburn Academy.

“As part of our 2025 to 2028 budget a further £7m has been allocated to ensure schools remain in good condition. This funding is being used for significant capital interventions across the estate.”

She pointed out repairs and maintenance are funded by an annual revenue budget and that capital funding is for work that extends the life or enhances a building.

Councillor Pidgeon was contacted for further comment following the meeting.