Schools decision described as ‘an electoral tactic’
THE decision to postpone closing YGG Mynyddygarreg and YGG Blaenau has been welcomed by Carmarthenshire’s opposition leader, but he described it as “an electoral tactic”.
Labour councillor Rob James claimed the sword of Damocles still hung over the two primaries.
Cllr James said his party had campaigned to pause the school reorganisation process affecting the two schools, near Kidwelly and Llandybie, because of the stress of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Plaid-independent administration decided at a meeting on December 6 to extend a county-wide review of school provision before making any future potential closure decisions.
Cllr James said he feared now for other schools, given that Carmarthenshire had 35 schools with fewer than 100 pupils many of which were not 60% full.
“I am pleased that parents and pupils of Ysgol Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol Blaenau have been spared the news that their school will be closing this academic year,” he said.
“However, the cabinet member (for education) stating that they will re-look at it in the near
future appears to be a tactic ahead of the local elections in May and keeps the sword of Damocles hanging over the head of both schools.
“We have been calling for months for more transparency on Plaid Cymru’s school closure plans and we are extremely concerned that dozens of schools could now be at risk of closure after the local elections.”
A Plaid spokesman said the decision by the administration showed a measured and responsible approach towards “this highly sensitive issue”.
He said: “Rarely has there been such thorough consultation. Every opportunity and help is being given for small schools to present their case. That will still be our approach going forward.
He added: “In making his Sword of Damocles comment, Cllr Rob James forgets that his own party took a scythe through small schools in Carmarthenshire in the fairly recent past. A total of 33 schools were closed or deemed unviable when Labour was in power or in coalition between 2004 and 2015.”
Meanwhile, Welsh language campaigners Cymdeithas yr Iaith also welcomed the administration’s decision.
Ffred Ffransis, the group’s Carmarthen area spokesman, said he felt the future of Mynyddygarreg and Blaenau’s primaries “is now as secure as that of any other school in Carmarthenshire”.
He called for clear guidance from the Welsh Government to say small schools will, where appropriate, be granted funds for capital improvements.
Mr Ffransis added: “Carmarthenshire Council must also play its part in securing a sustainable future for these two schools by allowing them to accept pupils at three years of age.”