Get the latest from West of Scotland MSP Ross Greer

Greens demand support for vulnerable teachers

Tue 3 Nov, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called on the Scottish Government to end the postcode lottery of whether home working and alternative arrangements are being put in place for vulnerable teachers.

Questioning Education Secretary John Swinney in Parliament this afternoon, Mr Greer noted reports of schools in different council areas refusing to put in place alternative arrangements for clinically vulnerable teachers despite GPs advising that they shouldn’t be in the classroom.

Speaking afterward Mr Greer said:

Confusion around schools testing

Thu 29 Oct, 2020

The Scottish Government must provide a clear answer on whether the ‘enhanced surveillance testing programme’  promised to schools by October is yet fully operational, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Scottish Green education spokesperson Ross Greer called for regular testing in schools throughout the summer but in response Education Secretary John Swinney said ‘surveillance testing’ would introduced, though it would only be fully operational by October.

Mr Greer today raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions but received no clear response.

Falling attendance shows Higher exams must be cancelled

Thu 29 Oct, 2020

A new report which shows poorer pupils are more likely to miss classes due to COVID-19 demonstrates the need for this year’s Higher and Advanced Higher exams to be cancelled and replaced with a robust system of continuous assessment, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Greens welcome global nuclear weapons ban

Tue 27 Oct, 2020

Scottish Greens have welcomed the passing of an international treaty banning nuclear weapons.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will come into force in 90 days’ time, following Honduras becoming the 50th country to ratify.

The world’s five open nuclear powers, including the UK, have not signed the treaty.

Scottish Greens have pledged to push for an independent Scotland to also become a signatory.

Outrage as climate crisis removed from Scottish exam topics

Mon 26 Oct, 2020

Climate strikers and Scottish Greens have expressed dismay after it emerged the SQA has removed the option of climate change from the list of potential topics covered in next year’s Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies exam.

Scotland scores well on new Pisa test

Thu 22 Oct, 2020

Scotland’s young people have scored well on a new assessment of ‘global competence’.

The PISA 2018 results, which showed Scottish 15-year-olds were above average for reading but remained average at science and maths, have now published the results of the new assessment.

Scottish Government must cancel all exams, say Greens

Wed 7 Oct, 2020

Following a statement from Education Secretary John Swinney on the 2021 exam diet, Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said:

“Cancelling and replacing National 5 exams was the only responsible choice, so I cannot for the life of me work out why the Education Secretary hasn't done the same with Highers.

"His comment that this will ‘free up capacity’ doesn’t make sense, given that Nat 5 and Higher exams don’t normally take place at the same time, and it was notable that he avoided my question on this point rather than answer it.

Drymen Road data: Lockdown shows air quality improvement possible.

Thu 1 Oct, 2020

Green MSP Ross Greer has pointed to air quality data shows this year’s lockdown led to clear improvement in air quality around a Bearsden pollution hotspot, making the case that a permanent improvement from regularly high levels of air pollution at Bearsden Cross is possible.

Green MSP Calls For Bearsden Golf Course Appeal to be Rejected

Wed 30 Sep, 2020

Local Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has written to the Scottish Government’s planning Reporter, urging him to reject an appeal to extend Bearsden Golf Course. The Golf Club intends to extend its course beyond it’s current boundaries, enabling this by selling another portion of land on its current site for housing although a separate application to build housing was recently rejected by the council.

Scottish Greens call for student support package

Tue 29 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has proposed a support package for university students following the chaotic situation that has emerged in student halls.