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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)

Gibson, Rob SNP Highlands and Islands Watch on SPTV

I want to raise four points. The Executive appears to be placing pressure on councils and the way that they tackle the problem. I do not think for one minute that councils want to see the hearts and guts ripped out of their local communities. As far as I am concerned, people in local communities do not understand the cash nexus that is involved. We have to find out from the Government whether the route that it has taken to maintain the fabric of schools is leading to the effect that we are seeing on school premises around the country.Because practice varies, we must recognise that the Executive's guidelines do not fit easily in the circumstances. They are well crafted—they are general—but the way in which people interpret them results in a variety of approaches being taken that are sometimes negative, sometimes positive and sometimes more supportive of small communities than others. Often, the pressure on councils to cut the number of small schools to rationalise their expenditure is hidden. That point must be understood. Councils can raise a small amount of money themselves, but they are increasingly told by Government what they can do with it. They do not have discretion when spending it.I am aware of Highland Council's approach, which says, "There is a possibility that rural communities can revive." It is a great pity that there are examples from around the country of schools being closed on the basis of pupil numbers, when there are more children in the area. For example, the school on Vatersay in the Western Isles was closed when there were about six pupils, but 20 pupils from Vatersay now go to the three schools on nearby Barra. It is now suggested that the schools on Barra should be rationalised and that the third one is not needed because the fabric is available in other places. The closure of schools has a fundamental social effect and cuts down communities' ability to live. Therefore, the guidelines must take into account, much more than they do at present, the conditions in different parts of the country.I agree with other members that the Environment and Rural Development Committee and the Enterprise and Culture Committee ought to consider the matter. The Environment and Rural Development Committee's review of rural areas has shown the commitment to rural development from Governments of other countries. In Finland, which has one of the best rural policies in Europe, the right to live in rural areas is enshrined as part of the fabric of the nation. If people have a right to live in an area, they have a right to access services there. If the Executive and the Parliament believe in the rural areas of Scotland, they must consider that idea seriously and take into account the education aspect, which is a key component. We need to take a different attitude to the way in which finance is levered in to support schooling. We must take into account the overall argument that small schools are often the best ones.

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Public Petitions Committee, 28 Jun 2005

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