Scott calls for faster decision on school closures
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott has written to education secretary Mike Russell urging him to speed up the decision making process on proposed school closures.
Having seen the devastating impact that small schools flagged for closure have faced in recent years, Mr Scott said he felt the period of uncertainty should be limited.
Speaking prior to a visit to the tiny Sandness primary school which had briefly been considered for closure last year, Mr Scott said on Monday: “I do not believe it is fair on children, parents and local communities for these decisions to be drawn out over an unspecified length of time.
“Unst, Yell and Scalloway have all gone through this pretty awful experience over the past three years. I know if my children had been affected by such a process what pressure that would have added to the day-to-day experience of school.
“Therefore I believe that the legislation must lay down a maximum period from a minister’s decision to call in a particular school closure to that of final decision. Unless there are very good reasons, I have suggested to the cabinet secretary that this should not be more than one month.”
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