Oenone, 16, said: “Teacher cuts are decreasing the number of possible classes of certain subjects. From Peebles this year, a sixth-year student had to move to a private school in order to take both Modern Studies and History at Advanced Higher... She was not the first to move and will presumably not be the last as the subject choice becomes more and more limited. “I too have been forced to compromise my subject choice as a result of reduced educational resources.”

Peebles High School students registered their views on the education budget at a meeting of the Education Executive at local authority headquarters in Newtown St Boswells on Tuesday.

Jamie, 17, said: “Pupils have to share old textbooks as there are a limited amount and not enough money to buy more or new ones. In Advanced Higher History this year, four textbooks had to be shared by 13 pupils unless they bought their own. But the problem is not just in the senior schools, staff are advising parents to buy textbooks for their children throughout the school, because the school cannot afford to pay for them – despite the textbooks being integral to attaining higher grades.

“Throughout the school, worksheets have to be paid for by the students as departments try to save any money they can. Although this is not a problem to most families, surely this is not what the public expect from a state school?”

He added: “I am sure if a pupil told their teacher they could not afford to buy the worksheets then the department would find some for them, but which teenager would feel comfortable admitting that their family could not afford to buy £2 worth of worksheets in all eight subjects? If the Scottish Government was so adamant that cashless catering had to be brought in to avoid pupils who receive free school meals being bullied, how can they justify this?”

The pupils praised Council investment in the three new secondary schools being built in Earlston, Eyemouth and Duns with computers for all programme, as well as the standard of teaching and canteen food. But they warned more cuts to the education budget could mean those students who wish to go on to further and higher education or gain jobs fail to make the grade.

Oenone said: “Hockey and rugby teams are finding it difficult to fund transport to away games as the bus costs too much and they have to pay for it mostly by themselves. Pupils are asked to pay every weekend, regardless of whether the match is home or away to try to raise the funds needed. Again children from less privileged families are disadvantaged as they find it very difficult to obtain the money on a weekly basis.

“Border schools are increasing in size so rapidly the need for money is becoming greater and greater to support the growing numbers and needs. With schools expanding so rapidly, how can budget cuts be justified?

“This year, it is planned to reduce the number of principal teachers to nine per high school, regardless of the size. With increased workloads for each teacher, less support and the difficulties arranging matches for sporting clubs, the number of teachers involved in extra-curricular activities is decreasing.

“Recently our year has been working on their applications to further and higher education and it is clear that it is the extra-curricular activities that catch the interest of universities and colleges. If the council want students to remain at school and therefore develop skills and attributes required for successful employment or to progress into university or college, they have to make sure pupils have the opportunities to encourage them to want to stay at school.”

The council pointed out more money is being spent on education in the Borders year on year. But they are looking at new ways of addressing the problems – including hosting evening classes or holding lectures and posting notes online. Councillor Catriona Bhatia, education portfolio holder, said: “As we’re setting our budget the reality is we have to prioritise what we spend our money on.”

The Scottish Government confirmed it was up to individual councils how they spent their money. A spokesperson said: “Government resources were made available to maintain teacher numbers at 2007 levels and there is no reason to be reducing teacher numbers.

“The net revenue expenditure for Borders Council on education has shown a year-on-year increase; with 1% in 2006/07 over 2005/06; 4.8% in 2007-2008 over 2006-07 and 3.4% in 2008-09 over 2007-06. It is for individual local authorities to take and justify their specific spending decisions, based on their assessment of needs and priorities.

“Local government has received record funding of £34.9bn (a 13.1% increase) over the current spending review period. The concordat with local government saw the reduction of ring-fencing from £2.7bn to £0.9bn, providing far more flexibility for councils and enabling them to keep efficiency savings.”

Jamie and Oenone’s mission statement:
"In preparation for this visit (to the education executive), we collaborated with senior students from schools across the Borders and have discovered these problems are largely universal.

“We personally feel very lucky to have attended Peebles High School over the past six years and believe the school is a credit to the Borders. The quality of the High School continues to attract families into the area.

“We wish to see this continue because, although we have reached the end of our high school career we would like future pupils to have the same high standard of education that we have enjoyed. We believe this cannot be maintained if the budget continues to be cut.”

Source: http://www.bordertelegraph.com/articles/1/31649