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Public Petitions Committee, 28 Jun 2005

28 Jun 2005 · S2 · Public Petitions Committee

Item of business

New Petitions

Rural Schools (Closure) (PE872)

Ewing, Mrs Margaret SNP Moray Watch on SPTV

It is difficult to follow three excellent speeches about the issues in the petition. As the committee knows, I previously brought a petition to Parliament from Glenrinnes Primary School, in my constituency, and raised the subject in the chamber on various occasions. I am therefore well aware of the implications of rural school closures and Moray is one of the worst-affected areas at the moment.I will not rehearse all the emotional arguments that I could make about the school being the heart of the community, although that is very much the case. What we are seeking in Moray is an Executive viewpoint—not just a committee viewpoint—on various issues. If there is no presumption against closure, why does it seem that various councils can pluck figures out of the air to suit their arguments? Is a school viable with 60 pupils, with 70 pupils or with 50 pupils? Why is there such variation when authorities such as Highland Council have decided not to close any schools but to mothball them on the basis that their population may increase? We hear all the arguments about the demographic changes in Scotland, but some councils are mothballing rural schools while others appear to be determined to close down a substantial number of them.At the meeting that I attended in Speyside last Monday, the point was made that many of these rural schools are a magnet to attract people to our rural communities. At a time when the Executive is talking about the fresh talent initiative and trying to reverse the demographic trends so that we have more young people, why on earth are we closing down what could be a major asset to all our communities in rural areas?I believe that what is happening is finance driven. Another comment that was made at the Speyside meeting was that the closures are being driven by a dash for cash and are not really addressing educational issues. I have not received a single complaint from a constituent about the quality of the education that is delivered in our rural schools. It is important that we take that on board. If the closures are finance driven, who is the driving force behind them? Is it the Executive or is it the local councils? We must investigate that.An important point was raised by Alex Johnstone. Councillors in Moray have been asked not to say where they stand on any particular school prior to recommendations coming from the director of education at a meeting that will take place in September, at which decisions will probably be taken on a programme that will start in October. I do not believe that there is a legal basis for keeping our councillors quiet. They are elected to represent the views of their communities and they have a responsibility to respond to those views. MSPs have to observe a code of conduct every day of our lives. We are asked to comment on particular issues and we do not say, "Oh, well. We will have to wait until stage 3 and see what the amendments are." People have a right to speak out as individuals and as elected members, and that should be taken into account by the Executive.On the recommendations, the petition should be sent not only to the Education Committee and the Environment and Rural Development Committee but to the Enterprise and Culture Committee. If these schools are a magnet for talented people to come into our rural communities, the Enterprise and Culture Committee should also examine the implications of that. I hope that all those views will be taken on board seriously by the committee. We face a major issue. A lot of people will become disaffected with the Parliament if we do not address the key matters that are brought to us by constituents daily.

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Public Petitions Committee, 28 Jun 2005

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