Labour has seized on new figures which they claim prove that multimillion-pound budget cuts in Aberdeen have had a “disastrous” impact on education.
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation statistics show a marked increase in the number of districts in the city falling into the top 15% most deprived regions of Scotland for educational achievement.
The number of so-called data zones in this category has increased from 11% in 2006 to 15% this year.
There are 27 districts in Aberdeen, including Heathryfold, Middlefield and Northfield, which are rated among the 15% most deprived areas of Scotland. Indicators used to measure education deprivation include the number of children and adults with a lack of qualifications, absenteeism from school and lack of progression to further and higher education.
In contrast, the number of districts in Glasgow classified as being in the top 15% dropped from 44% in 2006 to 40% this year.
The number of districts in Dundee dropped from 31% to 29% over the same period.
Aberdeen City Council is making £60million of budget cuts with an additional £17million expected to follow in December.
Martin Greig, vice convener of the education, culture and sport committee, last night insisted the figures did not reflect poor teaching in schools, claiming performance is not falling and attainment is being sustained.
He added education and the future of young people is a “top priority” for the Liberal Democrat/SNP administration but they are hamstrung by a poor local authority funding settlement.
Aberdeen Central Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said: “These figures demonstrate the impact of education cuts in Aberdeen on our young people. While educational standards in the rest of Scotland’s cities have been going up, those in Aberdeen have been going down.”
Grant Bruce, Aberdeen branch secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, said education committee reports show absenteeism and truancy rates in schools are going down. “Staff in schools are trying their best to maintain a quality service despite the council cutbacks we have had,” he added.
A Scottish Government spokesman said Aberdeen City Council has been allocated an additional £24million for 2009/10 – a 6.6% increase – which could be partly used for education investment.