MSP RAISES ISSUE OF SCHOOL CLOSURES THROUGHOUT NORTH LANARKSHIRE IN THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
John Wilson MSP put forward a Parliamentary Question on Thursday tackling the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP, on the effects of proposed school closures throughout North Lanarkshire and concerns raised to him regarding the use of misleading information to justify closing schools in the area.
John Wilson asked ‘To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the primary school closures proposed by North Lanarkshire Council will have on service delivery for pupils in the areas concerned’.
Michael Russell noted that the decision to close schools in North Lanarkshire remained entirely a matter for North Lanarkshire Council, adding that ‘Local authorities are under a statutory duty to ensure adequate and efficient provision of school education in their area and, in that context, they may review their school stock and how the location and condition of their schools reflect population patterns and meet educational needs. There is, of course, a legislative framework. New legislation on school closures will come into effect on 5 April’.
Following up on this, John Wilson sought clarification on the rights of parents and pupils who have demonstrated their opposition to proposals to close schools and who have expressed worries that the local authority has used misleading information to justify these closures. He added ‘What is the role of the cabinet secretary’s department in ensuring that decisions to close schools can be justified by the local authority?’
Michael Russell explained ‘The member knows that I have been on record for many years and in many campaigns to ensure that good and accurate information is provided to parents, and to ensure that if flawed information is provided, the process of closure by an authority does not go ahead. I was a member of the Parliament’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee when it conducted an inquiry—in 2002, I think—for which Cathy Peattie was a reporter, on provision of flawed information to parents. The legislation that is due to come into effect in April focuses on the quality of consultation in order to ensure that consultation is open, transparent and honest’.