A disaster for the future of local education
THIS is a DISASTER for education in Cumber-nauld - that's the verdict on the axing of St. Francis of Assisi Primary and Cedar Road Nursery.
At an explosive meeting at North Lanarkshire Council's Motherwell headquarters last week, opponents of the closure showed their disapproval at the decision.
The North Lanarkshire SNP group spokesperson for learning and leisure said that his colleagues had battled for hours at two meetings to save the school.
Councillor Tom Johnston, himself a retired teacher, said: "The St Francis of Assisi closure means the hope of small classes and early intervention in education within the denominational sector in North and West Cumbernauld are now permanently stifled.
"No-one has taken account of the plan for 2000 homes to be built in the South Cumbernauld community growth area which will increase demand on Abronhill school places. Again, opportunities for effective early intervention will become limited."
But Labour's Councillor Bob Chadha, who voted to SHUT the school, said that he has every sympathy with the affected families.
"I stand by them in a supportive way and I fully understand their anxiety and fear of moving their children to a new school and new environment.," he said.
"Whatever I do I do for the right reason, I do what is right not for myself but for the people I represent. Education of our children is paramount."
Mentioning the fact that NLC has to meet efficiency savings targets, he continued: "The reality is one cannot run a school half empty, you have to save money from projects which are not sustainable in economic terms.
"In a nutshell there is no other option but to go ahead with the school closure programme. Finally, I know people are angry with us in making this decision - I fully understand their anger and frustration."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Cumbernauld
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
