By Steve Bargeton, political editor

NOT ONE council on mainland Scotland is achieving the Executive’s watered down target of an “average” class size of 20 for some secondary classes.

Earlier this week it was revealed that ministers have dropped a key Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition pledge to reduce S1 and S2 maths and English class sizes to 20 or less.

The Executive claimed that the policy was altered to give head teachers more flexibility, and that an average class size of 20 in these subjects was now the target.

But yesterday the SNP revealed new figures obtained from councils under Freedom of Information that show that no councils are averaging 20 or below.

Seven local authorities, including Dundee City Council, did not respond to the FoI request and three councils said they did not record class sizes despite the Executive target.

In Angus the average S1 and S2 class sizes in English are 23.3 and in maths 24.1.

In Fife English S1 is 26.8 and S2 25.9 and in maths S1 is 26.4 and S2 26.1.

In Perth and Kinross English S1 is 23.9 and S2 24 and in maths S1 is 23.6 and S2 24.

In parliament yesterday SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon reminded First Minister Jack McConnell that the original Labour-Lib Dem pledge had been that no first or second year pupil should be in a class of more than 20 for either maths or English.

But she said that the change meant many pupils would be taught in classes that were larger than that.

“Everybody knows that that is a substantial shift,” she said.

“There is not one single mainland authority that is meeting the new average class size target of 20.

“So why is it that even when he shifts the goal posts, this First Minister still completely misses the goal?”

Mr McConnell said that the move to an average class size of 20—rather than insisting every class was that size or smaller—had been brought about after listening to concerns from teachers.

“Teachers requested some flexibility on a policy we had said originally was absolute, to ensure that the interests of their pupils were able to come first,” he said.

“What there is, is a listening approach to those head teachers who wish to ensure the best possible education for their youngsters.”

Mr McConnell also insisted that the target for reaching the average class size of 20 was September this year and dismissed the SNP figures as “irrelevant.”

But Ms Sturgeon said that his party promised the reduction in first and second year maths and English class sizes would be achieved by the end of the four-year parliamentary term.

“So now, as well as shifting the goalposts on this policy, the First Minister wants extra time as well,” she said.

“Whatever way you look at it, this is another broken education pledge from Labour.”