An MSP has spoken out about an "unacceptable" SNP education announcement which has "bypassed parliament".
Pam Duncan-Glancy has written to the presiding officer and will raise a topical question to the Scottish Government on Tuesday (October 24) on the newly-announced Centre of Teaching Excellence.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth revealed plans to launch the new organisation at the SNP conference, but teachers and professional organisations have been left in the dark over the details, the Herald understands.
Read more: The Scottish Centre of Teaching Excellence: Examining the new proposal
Shadow Education Secretary Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “It is simply unacceptable that the Education Secretary bypassed parliament and stakeholders to try to extract political benefit out of this proposal.
“The fact is that this SNP government has treated parliament, teachers and pupils with contempt for years.
“Rather than plotting new announcements designed to grab headlines, the Education Secretary should be listening to the voices of Scotland’s teachers.”
In her letter to the presiding officer, seen by the Herald, the Labour MSP described it as a "disrespectful" approach to governing which has "side-lined" parliament and stakeholders.
She said: "Setting up such a Centre is a significant announcement. It potentially impacts all of the hundreds of thousands of teachers and pupils in Scotland.
"It may also have significant structural implications for education reform, which you will know is a matter of great interest to all parties above, and to Parliament."
She said the announcement could also have significant funding implications, and drew attention to the SNP's announcement to freeze council tax, which was also not made in Parliament.
Ms Duncan-Glancy wrote: "I therefore seek your guidance as to what options are available to me as a parliamentarian, you as presiding officer, and indeed parliament in general to put right this disrespectful approach to governing which has side-lined parliament, and stakeholders, and thus circumvented all due process that could be considered appropriate for such an announcement?"
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said it will update parliament on education reform later this year.
They said: "The Centre of Teaching Excellence will be developed in partnership with teachers and professional associations as part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing reform work.”
The topical question is scheduled to be asked at 2pm in Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, October 24.
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