HELENSBURGH'S MSP has blasted new figures showing that the number of pupils being taught in classes of 30 or above has more than tripled in Argyll and Bute since 2011.

Jackie Baillie said the new analysis from the Scottish Pupil Census “exposes the SNP’s broken promise over classroom sizes”.

The new figures reveal that hundreds of primary school pupils in Argyll and Bute are being taught in classes with more than 30 pupils.

In 2011, 94 primary school pupils were in a class of more than 30, but the figures for 2017 shows that 348 pupils in the area are being taught in these huge class sizes.

Ms Baillie said: “This SNP Government has said that education is their top priority.

“They promised to raise attainment but in reality we are seeing class sizes rise and the attainment gap between the richest and poorest children is as big as ever.

“Teachers are overworked and underpaid and they are now being asked to teach 30 or more children in one primary school class. Children who are dependent on the most help are not getting the support they need.”

The MSP said this was yet more evidence of the SNP government over promising and under delivering.

“We need change in our schools, teachers need support and resources.

“Children and staff in Argyll and Bute deserve better, it is time the Scottish Government gave local authorities the funding to properly resource our schools, teachers the pay rise they deserve, took action on workload so that every child gets the very best out of education.”

In contrast, a Scottish Government spokesman said teacher numbers are increasing.

A spokesman said: “The fact is there are more primary teachers than at any time since 2007 and the ratio of pupils to teachers is at its lowest since 2013.

“We are providing £112 million in 2018-19 specifically to fund councils to maintain teacher numbers, including funding for the recent teacher pay award.

“Our investment has enabled councils to halt a period of steady decline in teacher recruitment, resulting in 543 more teachers than the previous year – the first substantial increase since 2007.”

"In 2010, the Scottish Government legislated to reduce the maximum class size in P1 to 25, its lowest ever level.

"Since then, the number of P1 pupils in a class size of 26 or more has decreased by more than 90 per cent, from 6,896 in 2010 to 631 in 2017.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council confirmed that some of its pupils are taught in classes of 30 or above.

However, they added: “Our class sizes adhere to the national agreement on staffing class sizes.

"Our focus is on providing a high quality education service for our young people.”