Fife schools reopen – but fallout continues

Parents hit out at council’s blanket closure as pupils return after four-day enforced break

All Fife schools were due to reopen as normal today after an enforced four-day break for youngsters – although fallout from the weekend continued.

Education chiefs took the bold decision on Sunday night to have yet another blanket closure of secondary, primary, nursery and special schools yesterday, despite a huge effort from staff and communities to clear snow from paths, playgrounds, entrances and car parks.

That prompted anger from many parents who felt local decisions could have been left in the hands of head teachers and buildings reopened on a school-by-school basis.

However, with the thaw continuing, pupils across the region should finally be back in the classroom today – with senior secondary school pupils in particular facing some important exams coming up.

Carrie Lindsay, executive director of education, thanked the public for its patience, support and help during what she described as a “very difficult” week.

And she admitted: “Closing all our schools was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to take in this role.

“I am acutely aware of the need to get our children back in the classroom to continue their learning as well as to allow our parents back to work.

“Lots of factors had to be considered and in the end it came down to one thing – we couldn’t be confident that children and families could get to school safely.”

Many parents left with another childcare headache, however, have taken the council to task, suggesting little or no consideration had been given to working mums and dads.

Kirstie Ross, from Aberdour, pointed out that a huge contingent of local parents turned out to shovel snow for more than three hours on Sunday, only to find out their efforts had been in vain.

“It is a despicable – and I suspect simply lazy – decision to close the schools,” she said.

“Denying all children in the region a fourth day of school because a few children would have difficulty making it in is outrageous.”

Criticism has also been levelled at a number of councillors who posted inaccurate information on social media on Sunday – which was then shared hundreds of times – before the official closures announcement was made.

Amid that confusion, the council described such posts as “ill-informed”.

It was business as usual for youngsters in Dundee, with all schools open.

Denying all children in the region a fourth day of school because a few children would have difficulty making it inis outrageous. KIRSTIE ROSS, PARENT

Picture: Steven Brown. Cars but no pupils at Castlehill Primary School in Cupar yesterday.