Schools review must be scrapped, says MP

COUNCIL: Initiative called ‘unmitigated disaster’ for making it harder for schools to attract pupils due to uncertainty

The Perth and Kinross Council school estates review is an “unmitigated disaster” and should be scrapped immediately, MP Pete Wishart has said.

The SNP Perth and North Perthshire MP has called on the council to cancel the ongoing Schools Estates Transformation Review and put in place a new way of managing its schools.

Some parents are believed to be looking into the prospect of legal action over the way the review has been carried out, with concerns that remote rural areas are missing out at the expense of more populous areas such as Perth city and the Carse of Gowrie.

The initiative – part of the council’s five-year transformation programme to 2020 – looks at school building conditions, pupil numbers and occupancy rates.

At least 21 primary schools, along with Pitlochry High School, are included over the three phases of the review, which began in August 2016 and is now completing its second phase.

There are at least 73 primary schools currently listed on the council’s website, meaning more than a quarter are included in the review.

Mr Wishart said that was too many and criticised the process – which has seen public engagement exercises held across the region – for making it harder for some schools to attract pupils.

He accused council bosses behind the review of “sapping the confidence” of fragile communities, saying: “This review must be stopped now, and a more sympathetic and credible schools review process put in place. We cannot have a process that has such a huge percentage of council schools under review.”

He said the review had been an “unmitigated disaster” for his constituents and added: “It has alarmed and unsettled school communities the length and breadth of the county area. Many of the assumptions, facts and figures have been erroneous and the inordinate time these reviews have taken unacceptable.”

He also said there are fears the review of Pitlochry High School could be extended even further.

Perth and Kinross lifelong learning convener Caroline Shiers said the council was carrying out a process begun by the previous SNP administration.

She said: “It is important that we ensure we have schools which are fit for the needs of children and young people. The review has led to multimillion-pound investment in schools in Perth City and in rural areas.

“I am proud this administration has made significant investment in education in Perth and Kinross.

“I understand fully the concerns of local parents and have appreciated the good attendance at public sessions where parents and members of the community have ensured their views are heard.”

“This review must be stopped now and a more sympathetic and credible schools review process put in place. MP PETE WISHART