Disproportionate cuts
I was somewhat dismayed when I discovered that Anderson High School is to have its operational budget slashed, shouldering some 71% of the cuts placed on Shetland schools from this particular allocation.
We live in a period of austerity and all services must bear a fair and proportionate share of unavoidable and necessary cost savings.
However AHS with 27% of the pupil population bearing 71% of total cuts seems to me neither fair nor proportionate.
Helen Budge and her officers are in an invidious position endeavoring tirelessly to adhere to SIC policy to find £3 million of savings from the education budget.
I am convinced that these savings can be found elsewhere and the education budget maintained. However with a school estate running at approximately 50% capacity I still advocate its rationalisation with the redirection of resources to ensure a positive, efficient, effective, sustainable and equitable educational experience for all Shetlands children.
I can almost hear the cries of “Toonie Vision” emanating from Nort, Sooth and Wast. I will endeavour to tolerate any such remonstration for three reasons.
Firstly AHS operates on behalf of every community in Shetland. Secondly, I do have an element of sympathy for the predicament of others in what is an emotive subject.
More so however because I regard not putting one’s head above the parapet as a dereliction of my duty as a parent.
It’s hard not to see this as an example of AHS bairns’ education being compromised in order to subsidise the luxury that is the excessive SIC schools estate.
I urge all involved in the local decision making process to consider a more equitable approach and rationalise the school estate accordingly.
John Fraser
Lerwick
Shetland News — free to read
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