“We want to see mandatory training (for teachers) . in the specific areas of behavioural management strategies, communication strategies and awareness of learning disabilities and autism.”

Peter Scott, Enable Scotland chief executive

“Had the Scottish Government and Cosla approached the teacher unions in autumn 2010 as the scale of the financial problems became apparent, we might now have an agreement as to how the relevant savings could have been made.”

Ann Ballinger, general secretary SSTA, after the negotiating body for teachers backed a two-year pay freeze.