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/wales/north_west/7060164.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Hundreds at school closures demo Hundreds at school closures demo
(about 2 hours later)
About 300 parents opposed to Gwynedd Council's plans to shut 29 primary schools have gathered to protest against the closures.About 300 parents opposed to Gwynedd Council's plans to shut 29 primary schools have gathered to protest against the closures.
Parents lobbied council offices in Caernarfon, where the creation of eight new area schools and the merger of some smaller schools was also discussed.Parents lobbied council offices in Caernarfon, where the creation of eight new area schools and the merger of some smaller schools was also discussed.
The council said change was needed because of falling pupil rolls. Councillors blamed "scarce resources" and "demographic changes".
One parent, Julie Bowen, from Llanystumdwy, accused the council of "killing the way of life".One parent, Julie Bowen, from Llanystumdwy, accused the council of "killing the way of life".
Ms Bowen said: "It's a sad day for the village. We are very disappointed by Gwynedd's Council's decision." Gwynedd's children and young people's scrutiny committee met on Thursday and supported the proposals "in principle".
We are just amazed that the school is on the list in the first place because with 80 pupils it is full to capacity, and where are they all supposed to go if it closes? John Allport, parent Without the school the village will become a holiday ghetto - totally dead and sterile Tessa Elliot, parent
The plans will be referred to the executive board and full council before being put out for consultation.
Councillor Dafydd Iwan said communities could not "remain as they were a hundred years ago".
He added: "The strategy does include closures, nobody likes that, but we have scarce resources and we must look at the bigger picture."
Strategic director of development, Iwan Trefor Jones, said: "We are trying to ensure that the county's primary education is on a firm foundation.
"I understand this is emotional work but we have to realise that demographic changes are happening."
Parent Julie Bowen said: "It's a sad day for the village. We are very disappointed by Gwynedd's Council's decision."
Gwynedd council says falling pupil rolls means schools need to close
The village's school - once attended by former Prime Minister David Lloyd George - is on the list of proposed schools to close in 2012.The village's school - once attended by former Prime Minister David Lloyd George - is on the list of proposed schools to close in 2012.
Speaking on the same day a statue of Lloyd George was unveiled in Parliament Square, London, Ms Bowen added: "There won't be any celebrations in Llanystumdwy."Speaking on the same day a statue of Lloyd George was unveiled in Parliament Square, London, Ms Bowen added: "There won't be any celebrations in Llanystumdwy."
Another parent, Tessa Elliot, who has a daughter at Ysgol Borth-y-Gest in Porthmadog, said: "Without the school the village will become a holiday ghetto - totally dead and sterile.Another parent, Tessa Elliot, who has a daughter at Ysgol Borth-y-Gest in Porthmadog, said: "Without the school the village will become a holiday ghetto - totally dead and sterile.
"We still have not been given an adequate reason for closing it.""We still have not been given an adequate reason for closing it."
Gwynedd's children and young people's scrutiny committee met on Thursday to discuss the controversial plans. Speaking before the meeting, John Allport, who has three children at Ysgol Borth-y-Gest, said: "We are just amazed that the school is on the list in the first place because with 80 pupils it is full to capacity, and where are they all supposed to go if it closes?"
Gwynedd Council says closures will make best use of resourcesSpeaking before the meeting, John Allport, who has three children at Ysgol Borth-y-Gest, said: "We are just amazed that the school is on the list in the first place because with 80 pupils it is full to capacity, and where are they all supposed to go if it closes?
"This school has been here for 125 years already and there is no reason for it to be closed."
ResignationsResignations
There has also been political reaction. Councillor Simon Glyn resigned from the Plaid Cymru group, and he called on council leader Richard Parry Hughes to stand down from his position.There has also been political reaction. Councillor Simon Glyn resigned from the Plaid Cymru group, and he called on council leader Richard Parry Hughes to stand down from his position.
Mr Glyn, who represents Tudweiliong on the Lleyn Peninsula, said he was incensed by the way the issue of rural school closures in Gwynedd was being handled.Mr Glyn, who represents Tudweiliong on the Lleyn Peninsula, said he was incensed by the way the issue of rural school closures in Gwynedd was being handled.
Gwynedd's education portfolio holder, Penri Jones, also resigned his post rather than sign the document. Gwynedd's education portfolio holder, Penri Jones, also resigned his post, claiming the reorganisation plans did not reflect the feelings of local people.
He said he thought the reorganisation plans did not reflect the feelings of local people.
Five Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled a Commons motion highlighting the threat to David Lloyd George's old primary school at Llanystumdwy.
A statue of the World War I prime minister is to be unveiled in Parliament Square in London on Thursday.
Gwynedd Council said the proposals followed a dramatic fall in pupil numbers over the past two decades.Gwynedd Council said the proposals followed a dramatic fall in pupil numbers over the past two decades.
The authority said it would make the best use of facilities, instead of maintaining 2,400 empty places, and invest £30m in the development of eight new area schools.The authority said it would make the best use of facilities, instead of maintaining 2,400 empty places, and invest £30m in the development of eight new area schools.