A teaching union has called for a rethink on the �1bn public-private partnership scheme to refurbish and rebuild Glasgow's schools.

The Educational Institute of Scotland says it is disturbed by proposals to cut the number of classrooms and staffrooms and make teachers share departmental work bases.

There are fears that under the plans, some schools will lose swimming pools and sports facilities.

The 3ED consortium, led by Miller Group, was awarded a �192m contract in November to manage and rebuild 29 schools.

Eleven new schools will be built and the rest will undergo renovation, with work due to get under way next year.

The initiative is estimated to be worth �1bn to the consortium, which includes Mitel and Hewlett-Packard.

Glasgow City Council's education department has circulated schools with architects' plans which have caused deep concern in teachers' ranks.

Tom Donnelly, who represents the EIS at Shawlands Academy, said: "At the moment, the majority of teachers have a classroom of their own.

"Under these proposals we'll have 45 teachers sharing 31 classrooms and I think that is a situation we'd like to see improved.

Reduced space

"We'd rather have a situation where each teacher had a classroom of their own as far as possible.

"The other main issue is looking at work bases and staff rooms. The number of both seem to have been reduced.

"A number of work bases look like they are going to be joined together.

"The idea of having a staffroom where staff are able to go and relax is the same place where other staff may wish to go and work at lunchtime or after school.

"I think that's a situation we'd rather avoid."

The EIS has asked schools for their opinions on the refurbishment plans.

The union's Glasgow secretary Willie Hart said he was disturbed by the responses.

"I have so far contacted five schools which will lose their swimming pool as a result of these changes.

"That to me seems to be very odd in the context of Glasgow's concerns about the fitness and health of the city population.

"I can't believe that the politicians of Glasgow, the public of Glasgow, bought the whole PFI concept on the basis that most schools which currently have swimming facilities would lose them.

"Virtually every secondary school in the city would have less classrooms, less labs, less home economics rooms than they currently have just now.

Council meeting

"I'm sure that the public in Glasgow believed that schools would at least have better facilities at the end of this than before.

"That doesn't seem to be happening. I hope that this whole area can be reopened."

Glasgow City Council refused to confirm or deny plans to axe swimming pools, PE facilities and cut classroom space.

The union says it hopes to raise its concerns at a meeting with the city council.