Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, 19 Sep 2007
Meeting date: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Official Report
210KB pdf
Petitions
Children's Services (Special Needs) (PE853)<br />Rural Schools (Closure) (PE872)
Item 3 is consideration of two petitions, PE853 and PE872, which relate to the closure of rural and special needs schools. The petitions, together with some accompanying papers, have been circulated to committee members.
Members will be aware that, although the petitions have only recently been brought to the attention of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, they were considered by our predecessor committee. It is important that we attempt to bring some closure to the people who brought the issues before the Parliament, particularly as there seems to have been some movement on the matter. That was indicated by the First Minister in his statement to the Parliament on 5 September. He said:
"On rural schools, it remains our position that there should be a legislative presumption against their closure".—[Official Report, 5 September 2007; c 1366.]
I am also aware that an MSP is introducing a member's bill on the matter.
The committee may consider whether to write to Fiona Hyslop to seek clarification on the timescale for the consultation on the proposed legislation. We could also ask whether it is the Government's intention to introduce its own bill. Will it instead support Murdo Fraser's member's bill? Depending on the minister's response, we could then advise the petitioners of the position. Do members feel that that is an appropriate course of action for the committee to take?
Members indicated agreement.
I am happy to agree to that. It is encouraging that both the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning have recognised the importance of the issue. Rural schools have no future if we do not provide some guarantee of the security of their position. However, it would be helpful to get clarification about the timescale.
I will write to Fiona Hyslop on behalf of the committee, asking for some further information. That will be brought to the committee once the cabinet secretary responds.
I remind members that we will be meeting next week, on 26 September. We have invited a number of people representing the skills sector to come and give evidence. We are waiting to hear whether the minister intends to attend our meeting. I hope that she will accept the committee's invitation.
Meeting closed at 11:40.