SCEPTICISM WAS JUSTIFIED

20 August 2005

As a former teacher, I am not in the least surprised to read that Swansea Council is backpedalling on its commitments on education funding. The promise made by education cabinet member Mike Day that money from the sale of school land would go back into education was greeted with scepticism at the time which has since turned out to be justified.

I was particularly disappointed to see political spin which portrayed £39 million as additional money from County Hall when it is actually funding from the Assembly for schools maintenance.

Spread over the five years, the sum is really no different from what was being spent in the past with a bit added for inflation - but the total sounds impressive.

It is no wonder that secondary school head teachers have challenged the council on its plans. They accept that education faces some tough issues and that serious action is needed. But they know that it also needs serious and honest people to tackle them.

J Green, Swansea Road, Gorseinon, Swansea