Western Isles MSP keeps pressure on council regarding schools

Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has written to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar urging them to listen to all the representations made by communities in the Western Isles when making decisions on the future of local schools.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“The deadline for responding to the Comhairle’s consultation into the future of eleven schools in the Western Isles has now closed. I have written to the Comhairle to urge them to listen to the representations made by the local communities, and by parents the length of the Western Isles, when they make decisions regarding the future of these schools.

“Future of schools.”

“A number of parents from Shawbost and Lionel two-year secondary schools in particular have been in touch with me recently to express their concerns at the possibility of these schools being closed. I do not believe the significance of travel times in these cases is a factor that should be overlooked.

“I don’t underestimate the difficulty of the task the Comhairle faces, or fail to see the reality that not every school can stay open. However, I hope that the Comhairle will listen to these concerns and take into account the impact which any school closure would have on the community and on the pupils concerned.

“The contribution of rural schools is fundamental to safeguarding fragile local economies and communities. We should be seeking to make rural and remote communities more, not less, attractive to young families and I hope that the Comhairle will bear this in mind when it comes time to make a decision regarding the future of these schools.”

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