Headteachers are not being given the control over school spending they were promised, a Tory MSP has claimed.
Nicola Sturgeon is handing £120m directly to schools to spend as they see fit for tackling the attainment gap.
But Liz Smith, the Perthshire MSP, said the cash comes with conditions that is denying principals the “real autonomy” they were promised.
Ms Sturgeon told First Minister’s Questions on Wednesday that the pupil equity fund will be used “at the discretion of headteachers”.
“The national operational guidance on the use of the funding sets out clear principles to support headteachers in their decision making,” the SNP leader said.
She added: “It is the discretion of headteachers that will be the central factor in deciding how that money is spent”.
Ms Smith said it is “very clear” from Scottish Government documents that there will be both national and local authority guidance that heads are “compelled” to answer to.
“Could the First Minister tell Parliament whether headteachers will ever have real autonomy or is this just spin?” the Scottish Conservative said.
Ms Sturgeon said headteachers must be accountable and the guidance simply sets out key principles that they must follow, which includes ensuring spending is targeted at closing the attainment gap, is backed up by evidence and includes parental involvement.
