Hundreds of cleaners being drafted in to Scottish schools ahead of new term

It's as schools get set to re-open in two weeks time

School cleaners
Author: Callum ClarkPublished 31st Jul 2020

Councils in Scotland are facing a race against time to employ extra cleaners ahead of schools re-opening next month.

We’ve obtained figures showing hundreds are being brought in ahead of the return of pupils.

Education Secretary John Swinney insists they’re working to make sure local authorities have everything they need.

"The government's putting up the resources to reassure local authorities and to enable them to apply the guidance and put in place a safe environment for children, young people and staff," he said.

"Over the summer local authorities have been working very hard to make sure the preparations are in place for a safe return.

"Local authorities have been full participants in the discussion that we've had and have agreed the guidance that we've put in place."

Scottish Labour Education spokesperson Iain Gray said: "We've known for months that we would have needed extra teachers and cleaners.

"Those resources should've been provided weeks ago so councils had enough time to prepare."

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