PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!

AN APPEAL TO SIGN THE GLASGOW SAVE OUR SCHOOLS PETITION TODAY CALLING FOR A GOVERNMENT INQUIRY INTO THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL CLOSURES ON EDUCATION, CLASS SIZES AND DEMOCRACY

From Richie Venton, Glasgow Save our Schools Campaign organiser
richieventon@hotmail.com
Please take 2 minutes to sign the e-petition for the Scottish Parliament; help fight for smaller class sizes and greater democracy in decision-making.
Dear friends and fighters,
We have been fighting the Glasgow Labour council’s closure of 25 primaries and nurseries since January. We have built a mass movement, using every conceivable method of struggle.
Now we have taken the battle to the Scottish parliament and the Scottish government, demanding they take a clear stance in opposition to the closures and their consequences – especially the regressive increase in class sizes.
Our massive efforts saved 3 of the 25, but the rest are now closed, with horrendous consequences for kids, families and communities.
The Labour Council cynically calculated that since there will be no Council elections until 2012, they would ride the storm, hope people forget, and save themselves £3.7m a year at terrible cost to communities in working class areas of the city. We are determined to make them pay for these crimes – and in the process, stop the threat of 34 further potential closures!
If you want more background information, just click on the Glasgow Save Our Schools website at Glasgow Save Our Schools Campaign

At the heart of our battle now is that for smaller class sizes. Our Campaign has persistently demanded cuts to class sizes of 20 maximum for all ages. That would improve education and protect and create teachers’ jobs.
That is also the official policy of the teachers’ unions. And the Scottish government claims to aim at 18 maximum in Primary1-3.
As one important strand of our ongoing campaign, we have lodged this petition in the Scottish parliament Public Petitions system.
In case you are not aware, the Scottish parliament allows the public to submit petitions to a committee of MSPs to consider, with the option of inviting representatives to address this Public Petitions Committee to justify the case, and the power to then lodge the issue as a matter for debate in the full parliament and its sub-committees.

So we need vast numbers to add their names to this petition online, to add pressure to the MSPs in favour of inviting us to address them when they meet again in September. We have a limited few weeks to maximise the numbers signing the petition online.
It is straightforward - just click here to sign the e-petition for the Scottish Parliament.
And you have the OPTION of adding a comment on the discussion board to help add weight to the debate; but at least please add your name to the list of signatures TODAY.
And when you’ve done that, get others in your family to do it; and others in your trade union or community group. Then forward this email to everyone on your list of email addresses, to encourage them to sign up as well.

Thanks for your help – sign up and spread the word!
Yours in struggle and unity,
Richie Venton