This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7920650.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Plan to save rural Scots schools Plan to save rural Scots schools
(40 minutes later)
Plans to safeguard the future of Scotland's rural schools have been announced by ministers.Plans to safeguard the future of Scotland's rural schools have been announced by ministers.
Proposed new legislation will toughen the consultation procedures which councils must follow when proposing any major education changes. The proposed legislation would toughen the consultation procedures which councils must follow when proposing any major education changes.
The Scottish Government said the move would protect small, fragile local economies and communities.The Scottish Government said the move would protect small, fragile local economies and communities.
The SNP manifesto had pledged to bring in a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools.The SNP manifesto had pledged to bring in a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools.
Rural school closures have caused public concern across the UK, although councils argue that keeping schools with low pupil numbers open is difficult to justify.Rural school closures have caused public concern across the UK, although councils argue that keeping schools with low pupil numbers open is difficult to justify.
'Open' process Since 1998, there has been an average of eight rural schools closed per year in Scotland.
Scottish Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the Schools (Consultation) Bill would play a vital role in bolstering opportunities and services in rural communities. By focusing on rural schools, we are also helping to safeguard a way of life Fiona HyslopScottish education secretary
She said: "The bill will update and strengthen the consultation procedures that local authorities apply to all school closures and other major changes to schools - by ensuring that the best practices, already adopted by some, become universal practice for all. Scottish Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the Schools (Consultation) Bill would play a vital role in bolstering opportunities and services in rural communities and would make the process more open.
"It will establish a process that is coherent, easy to understand, fair, workable, open and transparent." Ms Hyslop launched the bill, to amend current legislation from 1981, at a 10-pupil primary school in Dalwhinnie, in the Highlands.
The legislation, if passed by parliament, would require local authorities to publish and advertise detailed proposals on closure plans and hold a consultation for a minimum of six weeks of term time. "The majority of the children who attend here are the children of local gamekeepers whose work is essential in sustaining and fuelling the local economy," said the education secretary.
"By focusing on rural schools, we are also helping to safeguard a way of life."
The legislation, if passed by parliament, would require local authorities to publish and advertise detailed proposals on any major changes to education provision, and hold a consultation for a minimum of six weeks of term time - although these would not need to run consecutively.
Final decision
Education inspectors would also have to give their views on changes, while pupils and teachers would get more of a say.Education inspectors would also have to give their views on changes, while pupils and teachers would get more of a say.
A report on the proposals would then have to be released, with a block on councils being able to make their final decision until at least three weeks after its publication.
Ministers also want to put the decision-making process over school closures firmly in the hands of local authorities.
The bill would replace the need for certain council decisions to be referred to the government, with a ministerial power to call them in where local authorities fail to comply with the legislation.
A total of 41% of of primary and 23% of secondary schools in Scotland are classed as rural.
Rural school closures have caused an outcry from parents and the public in Wales.
However, the assembly government has said there are more than 80,000 empty places, maintained at a cost of £30m a year.