The threat comes as staff complained to The Observer of hazards they and pupils faced in returning to what were, and in some cases remain, building sites. Building materials and equipment still lie in corridors and, in one school, human waste last week poured into the playground from a fractured toilet pipe. Thousands of pounds worth of equipment, including computers, camcorders and a freezer, are missing, presumed stolen.
Teachers at St Roch's secondary in Townhead have called for a union ballot on strike action. Tom Murphy, principal religious education teacher, complained to the education authority in May that noise caused by PPP work was interrupting teaching and could be affecting the performance of pupils sitting examinations.
He said: 'I personally don't have strong feelings about PPP, as long as it makes things better. At the moment this is not happening.'
The £160 million public private partnership was to transform Glasgow's 29 secondary schools into centres of excellence. Last week came its first big test when, after more than a year of rebuilding, children returned to school after the summer break. What greeted them horrified teachers and pupils. Five schools failed to open in time. Pupils at Shawlands Academy were among those sent home on Monday. On their return the next day many had to wait in the assembly hall while teachers attempted to find spare rooms.
As a burger van enjoyed increased takings courtesy of the workers gathered outside the front gate of the school, one teacher told The Observer that PPP in Glasgow's schools had risked the health and education of children.
Across the city teachers complained that classrooms were smaller and that there are fewer of them. Six swimming pools have been cut and games halls axed. Teachers said their suggestions had been ignored and that they were not involved in the design process.
If they were, said Willie Hart, Glasgow secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, laboratory benches would be facing the front of classrooms rather than perimeter walls, and art rooms would contain sinks and enough storage space to keep pupils' work.
The company responsible for rebuilding and maintaining the schools, 3ED, is made up of: Amey, a stock market darling, which has grown rich by winning public sector contracts; Halifax, the former building society turned bank; and Mitel, an IT firm.
John Brown, Glasgow City Council's head of communications and younger brother of the Chancellor, rejected the criticism. 'PPP is the only game in town,' he said. 'There's a small group of teachers with a political agenda who are causing trouble.'
