WEST Dunbartonshire Council has done a u-turn over its plan to cut school hours for primary school children amidst growing protests.
More than 3200 people had signed a petition calling for West Dunbartonshire to reverse plans to trim 2.5 hours a week from youngsters' time in school.
The decision, which would see pupils lose out on 19 days education over a school year, was also criticised by teaching union EIS who claimed it was an "attack" on teacher numbers and the future of the area's young people.
Now convener of educational services Michelle McGinty, in announcing the withdrawal of the plan, said it was not the best policy to address the funding problems and recognised the uncertainty and concern among the community.
She said: "I would like to announce the immediate removal of the policy to change the school week.
"This was not the best policy to address our reduced funding from government and we are sorry for the concern this has caused to our parents and residents.
"We had listened to the parents during the consultation on this proposal. They had raised concerns mainly around childcare and we had plans in place to help with those concerns - we put extra funding into providing for breakfast clubs.
"However, we recognise the uncertainty and concern among the community and genuine fears parents have about their children's education.
"We wish to remove doubt and uncertainty immediately and we will find other ways to balance the budget."
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan welcomed the "very swift U-turn on its poorly thought-out proposal".
Mr Flanagan added, "This should act as a stark warning to other local authorities who are considering similar cuts to children's education. The very clear message is that this type of attack will be resisted - and resisted strongly - by all those with an interest in protecting young people's learning."
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