Halt the consultation

The CURE (Communities United for Rural Education) group are rightly passionate in defence of the proven and nationally acclaimed S1-S4 community schools known collectively as the junior highs.

The evidence is building that Education Scotland have not challenged Shetland to change its delivery of secondary education in the rural areas.

This is a key development because far-reaching closure consultation decisions were made on this very premise.

The secondary pupil cost comparisons have also been challenged and there are mounting calls for a more detailed exploration of the education budget expenditure.

Can the council decision of 1 July remain?

Last year, in response to EIS concerns, the education department agreed to reschedule a planned presentation of a closure report in the school holidays.

CURE now seeks reassurance that there will be no submission of any pre-consultation reports to education & families committee in the school holidays, in line with last year’s agreement.

In light of the developing educational and financial challenges to the amended strategy for secondary education and the need for open, transparent debate, CURE repeats its call for a halt to consultations on closures and for there to be no presentation of closure reports in the school holidays.

Gordon Thomson
CURE Secretary