Border Telegraph | News | Schools closures: I want to hear views says Peacock

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 25th October, 2005 10:36

Schools closures: I want to hear views says Peacock

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

EDUCATION Minister, Peter Peacock, has told Borders parents he wants to hear their views on small school closures ahead of showdown talks at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday).

Campaigners from around the country, including two representatives of the Borders Small Schools Action Network, will meet with Mr Peacock in Edinburgh to discuss the future of rural schools.

The meeting is a result of the group’s petition, presented to parliament in the summer, calling for a presumption against the closure of rural schools.

And Mr Peacock said yesterday, Monday, during a visit to Drumlanrig St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Hawick: “It is very much a listening meeting, and I want to hear from them.”

The parents’ group feels that local councils should have to make a strong case for closing a school, rather than parents having to make a strong case to keep it open, in line with the system used in England and Wales.

The group will meet Mr Peacock after he has been questioned by members of the Scottish Executive’s education committee.

Claudia Bolling, of the Borders Small Schools Action Network, said: “This meeting has been kickstarted by the petition.

“The education committee discussed the matter about a month ago and decided they needed to speak to Peter Peacock. It is about putting the issue on the agenda, and it is an ongoing process.”

But Mr Peacock says the issue is already on the agenda, and he is looking forward to hearing what campaigners have to say.

He said: “I am in the process of reviewing a number of things about school closures, and I want to hear the views of parents who are involved across Scotland.

“These are very much local matters. In law, councils decide what schools they have and don’t have. It is not a government decision.”

But Mrs Bolling believes the buck is being passed between the Scottish Executive and local councils.

She said: “This needs attention, because the Scottish Executive keep saying it is a matter for the councils, and the councils say the Scottish Executive are telling them to save money. No-one wants to take responsibility.

“If the Scottish Executive could issue guidance on conduct for consultation, that would be a step forward. At the moment there are some vague guidelines, but basically they just make it up as they go along.

“There is no appeals procedure. Once the council has made up its mind, that is it.”

But Mr Peacock denies the Scottish Executive is telling councils to save money.

He said: “We are increasing the amount of money going into education, and have been for a number of years.

“Councils have a duty to look at long-term provisions, and it is a fact that school roles are falling across the country.”

But Mr Peacock would not be drawn on the fate of under-fire Channelkirk Primary School, whose future hangs in the balance.

Campaigners fighting to keep the school open are planning a protest outside the parliament during tomorrow’s meeting.

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