SL Conservative Group Education Spokesperson, Councillor Ian Harrow, has welcomed SNP Education Secretary John Swinney’s U-turn on returning pupils full-time to schools in South Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist representative says the news is a victory for parents, key stakeholders and the Scottish Conservatives campaigning, including Shadow Education Secretary Jamie Greene MSP

Mr Greene had forced Mr Swinney to come to Parliament to update on the plans, which were set to include blended learning for up to a year.

Councillor Ian Harrow says he had received representations from concerned constituents and raised concerns with Council officials.

Commenting, Councillor Harrow said: “This is a welcome U-turn from John Swinney, but it should not have come to this.

“The SNP’s model of ‘blended learning’ is no substitute for being in the classroom with a teacher in front of pupils and South Lanarkshire Council must now be given the resources to ensure a full-time return in August.

“It simply wasn’t good enough that pupils could have been facing that model for up to a year and there was no leadership given to councils from the SNP Education Secretary.

“This is a victory for parents, stakeholders and campaigning from the Scottish Conservatives into making the SNP Government think again about their misguided plans.”