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Talks on future of Isles schools Talks on future of Isles schools
(about 9 hours later)
Councillors are due to discuss plans to shut seven junior secondary schools on the Western Isles.Councillors are due to discuss plans to shut seven junior secondary schools on the Western Isles.
The closures - deemed necessary for financial reasons - had previously been put on hold pending a report into S1-S3 provision on the islands. The closures - deemed necessary for financial and policy reasons - had previously been put on hold pending a report into secondary provision.
The full meeting of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar comes in the wake of the Scottish Government's announcing proposed new legislation.The full meeting of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar comes in the wake of the Scottish Government's announcing proposed new legislation.
Its plans for next year include a presumption against rural closures.Its plans for next year include a presumption against rural closures.
These government proposals could hardly come at a more emotionally charged time for communities in the Western Isles Alasdair AllanWestern Isles MSP The Rural Schools Bill would introduce a presumption against the closure of rural schools, which make up 41% of Scottish primaries and 23% of secondaries. The islands' schools provide S1/S2 level education. They are Paible, North Uist; Daliburgh, South Uist; Lionel, Shawbost, Back, Lochs and Bayble on North Lewis.
These government proposals could hardly come at a more emotionally charged time for communities in the Western Isles Alasdair AllanWestern Isles MSP
The report by education officials on secondary provision recommended that they be closed.
Iain Don Maciver, a parent involved in a campaign against the move, said the final decision on some closures would rest with Scottish ministers.
This is because of the distance pupils would have to travel to the nearest school.
Mr Maciver said: "Of the seven schools, four would have to be deferred to the minister Fiona Hyslop for a final decision.
"Whether when that decision is taken and the new legislation is taken into account then that would leave a very bad taste in the mouth of those schools that have already ended up being closed."
The Rural Schools Bill would introduce a presumption against the closure of rural schools, which make up 41% of Scottish primaries and 23% of secondaries.
'Excellent record'
To date, the SNP has overruled the closure of three schools, saying the trend had brought hardship on the residents and economies of rural communities.To date, the SNP has overruled the closure of three schools, saying the trend had brought hardship on the residents and economies of rural communities.
The bill would aim to improve the consultation process on proposed closures - an emotive issue in Scotland - but critics have questioned whether forcing councils to keep open schools with only a few pupils on the roll would be a justifiable cost.The bill would aim to improve the consultation process on proposed closures - an emotive issue in Scotland - but critics have questioned whether forcing councils to keep open schools with only a few pupils on the roll would be a justifiable cost.
Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, welcomed the plan.Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, welcomed the plan.
He said: "These government proposals could hardly come at a more emotionally charged time for communities in the Western Isles.He said: "These government proposals could hardly come at a more emotionally charged time for communities in the Western Isles.
"The schools have an excellent record and tribute should be paid to the work of staff and the wider community in making them the success that they are.""The schools have an excellent record and tribute should be paid to the work of staff and the wider community in making them the success that they are."
Mr Allan added: "Nobody underestimates the hard funding decisions which local authorities are faced with when rolls fall, but, my own view is that anything which this parliament can do to make the task of closing a rural primary more difficult is going to be welcome in rural Scotland."Mr Allan added: "Nobody underestimates the hard funding decisions which local authorities are faced with when rolls fall, but, my own view is that anything which this parliament can do to make the task of closing a rural primary more difficult is going to be welcome in rural Scotland."