Independent MSP backs Labour over schools
Published 22 Sep 2012 09:02
8 Comments
DUNFERMLINE MSP Bill Walker believes tough decisions on the future of schools cannot be put off any longer.
Mr Walker praised the decision of Fife Council leader Alex Rowley to publish details of school rolls, occupancy rates, conditions of buildings and cost of educating pupils.
The MSP said, "I think Alex Rowley should be applauded for taking this step. As far as I'm aware it's the first time figures have been published in this way.
"It means that the discussion can take place with all the facts and figures available.
"No matter who was running the council these tough decisions would have to have been made," said Mr Walker who was a councillor for the West Fife villages under the last administration.
"These decisions have been put off and put off for many years because they're difficult for local politicians to handle.
"People obviously become very upset and distressed when there's a threat to a school.
"However, with the financial situation as it is we have to look at mergers and closures."
Two schools which could be under threat are Crombie, with just 18 pupils, and Wellwood, with 31 pupils.
Mr Walker went on, "In the case of Crombie, some parents there choose to take their children to Limekilns Primary.
"That may be quite understandable because it has 114 pupils and they want their children educated there but it could be seen as hastening the end for Crombie.
"The figures for Wellwood Primary are terrible as well and in some of these cases it would be cheaper to bus the children to a nearby school than keeping the buildings open for two classes, which doesn't make any economic sense.
"It also doesn't make any sense to keep spending money on old, crumbling buildings.
"When you see lovely new schools like Carnegie Primary it's not fair for other children to be educated in old, unsuitable buildings.
"I'm all for preserving old buildings generally but not when it's for education."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 24 Sep 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Sep 22, 12:12
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Sep 22, 12:32
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kaka30
327 posts
Sep 23, 15:08
Report commentI commented last week about the importance of local pubs & shops to the villages of West Fife. Local Primary schools are even more important & every effort should be made to keep them open. Not everything can be measured in pounds & pence although i do realise that books need to be balanced. At this rate there will be houses but no communities.
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Yes 7
No 1
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B2theB
188 posts
Sep 24, 10:11
Report commentThe building doesn't matter.
The teachers do.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 2
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supporter1
2 posts
Sep 24, 22:35
Report commentMaybe instead of publishing these figures, Fife council could be addressing its admission policy. If children who lived In the catchment areas for schools like Crombie and Wellwood were made to go to their local schools there would not be these problems. I note the councillor doesn't talk about the overcrowding at Limekilns School where he suggests they ship the Crombie kids. I though we were meant to be living in a green society, our councillor seems to want to ship kids around in a big diesel bus, rather than promote healthy living and walking to their local school.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 5
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B2theB
188 posts
Sep 25, 08:27
Report commentUmm, he didn't "suggest they ship the Crombie kids to Limekilns"
What he said was that "In the case of Crombie, some parents there choose to take their children to Limekilns Primary."
Poor comprehension skills, or deliberate attempt to misquote ?
Recommend? Yes 8
No 0
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sarah1
2 posts
Sep 25, 10:34
Report commentparents have the right to choose which school there children go to smaller schools dp not have after school club which some working parents depend on
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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supporter1
2 posts
Sep 25, 13:10
Report commentI am not trying to misquote, "it would be cheaper to bus the children to a nearby school". I have perfect understanding of what he is trying to say, however other local schools are full already so how would he suggest they make space for another 20-35 pupils.
I understand parents need services like after school clubs, but surely if the schools do not get supported and have sufficient pupils then they will never have these services.
Yes, parents have choice, but their choices maybe at the expense of other parents choice as they are going to lose their local school which they chose.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
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sarah1
2 posts
Sep 25, 14:41
Report commenteach parent has to make the best decision for there child if its expense of another school unfortunately thats what happens why have schools running at half capacity if you look at the occupancy rate for limekilns primary it is down at 53 percent so i dont know where you get its overcrowded
Recommend? Yes 2
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DBResident
54 posts
Sep 25, 21:54
Report commentwhy is this paper giving space to this discredited politician.
Recommend? Yes 7
No 5
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