New education statistics have shown numbers of school inspections in the north-east have plunged in the past eight years according to new Scottish Government figures.
Inspectors have visited just two Aberdeen schools in the year 2016/17, down from 11 in 09/10 and 13 in 08/09.
There has also been a large drop in neighbouring Aberdeenshire, tumbling from 26 school inspections in 09/10 down to 11 this year, according to SPICe data.
Last night local politicians described the trend as “alarming” and called for renewed “focus”.
But Education Scotland, who carry out the inspections, insisted it was looking to increase the number.
North-east Conservative MSP Ross Thomson said: “My own research into the number of inspections carried out also show an alarming drop across the north-east region. In Aberdeen, the figures are down by 85% and in Aberdeenshire by 57%.
“You have to question exactly what is going on here and how effective the inspection process is.”
He was echoed by Aberdeen’s education convener Angela Taylor who added: “Education Scotland is meant to guide and support schools – helping them improve… but if the invisible men and women of education Scotland are not even visiting classrooms, how on earth are heads supposed to get any feedback?”
But Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, a member of the Education Committee, said: “I think that just looking at the volume of inspections gives a only a partial view. I think the quality of inspections is far more important than the frequency.
“In the past, inspections have been criticised for placing an unnecessary burden on teachers’ time but not adding anything to the learning and teaching experience.
“We have had assurances that the inspections remit is to be radically changed with more support and development than before.”
An Education Scotland spokeswoman said: “Schools are selected for inspection based on a random sample.
“We also aim to ensure a broadly representative distribution of local authorities.
“Education Scotland has announced its commitment to increasing school inspections over the coming years.”
