Protest against nursery proposals

About 250 people protested about the plans

About 250 nursery teachers from across Scotland have been demonstrating in Glasgow to protest against the city council's plans for nursery education.

Teachers claim the local authority's proposal to replace 37 qualified nursery teachers with less well-trained staff is a cost-cutting measure.

The Educational Institute for Scotland, which has organised the rally, said the changes would damage nursery education.

A council spokesperson said no decision would be taken until 9 February.

The EIS teaching union has warned it would campaign against any local authority which threatened to substitute qualified nursery teachers with other staff.

'Vital role'

Jack Barnett, EIS president, said: "The proposals being put forward to remove nursery teachers from nursery schools have absolutely nothing to do with educational principle and everything to do with cutting budgets.

"The message from the EIS nationally, to Glasgow and any other council considering going down this path, is that the EIS will not sit idly by.

"We will campaign together, with teachers and politicians, to oppose the cuts and defend the vital role that teachers have in our nursery schools."

The union's education convenor George MacBride said research had shown that nursery schools with qualified teachers achieved higher educational outcomes in all aspects of the curriculum.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "A range of options are being considered as part of the council's annual budget process. No decisions will be taken until 9 February."