'Ghost pupils' probe spreads further

Random checks are being introduced

Random checks are to be introduced by a number of Scottish councils amid allegations of "ghost pupils" at Glasgow schools.

Four head teachers have been suspended following investigations into reports of extra pupils on their schools' rolls.

And the cases have prompted other local authorities to take action.

Colin Dalrymple, depute director of education at Edinburgh City Council, said the authority's schools would be asked to verify their rolls and random checks would be introduced.

We will be asking each of our schools to verify their school rolls and it is likely that we will instruct a process of random checks

Colin Dalrymple, Edinburgh City Council

"We do have sophisticated systems in place to ensure the school rolls are verified throughout the year," he said.

"In the light of the situation in Glasgow it would be inappropriate for any authority to believe that their systems are infallible.

"Our colleagues in Glasgow, I'm sure, will have been both surprised and disappointed with what they have discovered.

"We will be asking each of our schools to verify their school rolls and it is likely that we will instruct a process of random checks."

Fraser Sanderson, the director of education at Dumfries and Galloway Council, said he did not believe any false registers were being maintained in the area.

No complacency

However, random checks will be carried out when the new enrolments come in.

He said: "We hold lists of all pupils centrally and these are updated on a monthly basis.

"We have a record of enrolments in schools and therefore have a broad year-on-year check on overall numbers.

"In addition the regular visits of other services, particularly health, provide a cross check."

He added: "Without wanting to appear complacent, we place trust in our head teachers.

Four head teachers have been suspended

"The maintaining of false registers would require a degree of collusion on the part of several parties - and we do not believe this is happening."

The "ghost pupils" row emerged when Mount Florida Primary School in Glasgow was placed under investigation.

Its head teacher was suspended after claims that 17 extra pupils had been added to its register in an effort to secure additional funding.

The latest suspension was at Dowanhill Primary School in the city's west end last week following allegations that 17 extra pupils had been included on the school roll.

The council said a formal hearing into the apparent inconsistencies would be held as soon as possible after the completion of a detailed investigation.