SNP MSP Christine Grahame, herself a former secondary teacher, said the redundancies, which saw two teachers at Peebles High School, one teacher at Jedburgh Grammar and three outdoor education workers lose their jobs, were entirely avoidable and suggested that savings could have been made instead from what she described as a "top-heavy" management structure.
Ms Grahame said: "This decision to axe frontline teachers is not only avoidable but inexcusable. There are more than enough chiefs sitting comfortably at Scottish Borders Council's Headquarters in what I believe to be a top-heavy management structure.
"It looks that they have opted instead to attack frontline staff which I find utterly deplorable, particularly amongst those teaching staff who work in outdoor education. This is one area of education that should be expanded because the long-term benefits hugely outweigh the short-term costs associated with supporting outdoor education."
According to the council, it was up to individual schools how the savings were achieved, and after considering all other options it was decided to axe the posts.