Almost 160 teaching posts are on the line as South Ayrshire Council proposes to reduce staff to ‘balance the budget’. 

Plans were distributed to South Ayrshire schools via email from Douglas Hutchison, the Director of Education. 

If approved, 138 teachers, 15 early years teachers and three pupil support members would be out of a job from August.

A source from the education sector of South Ayrshire, said: “If these plans go ahead it will mean there will be 15 nurseries without a teacher and it will be down to the nursery staff.

“The outline states that 138.71 fulltime equivalent posts, meaning up to 200 teachers could be out of a job. 

“Not only will many lose their jobs but the children’s education will be badly damaged.We need our teachers.

“From primary three to primary seven the maximum class size is 33 and 27 for primary one and two. 

“There is no flexibility. Cutting 138 posts saves a colossal amount of money.

“The only solution I can see is closing some of the small schools and integrating them. Education makes up 60-70 percent of the council’s budget.”

Some 82 classroom assistant posts could also be cut.

Our source continued: “The reduction in classroom assistant posts is massive. It means that two jobs per school are on the line.

“It’s like the council are saying ‘sorry you have done your job, we can’t afford to pay you.” 

Prestwick Academy Parent Council are calling on all its parents and teachers to speak out against these proposals.