Since the February 21 announcement that four schools across Powys were set to close as part of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys James Evans MS & Fay Jones MP have expressed their concern at the consultation process.
The process held during lockdown when communities were unable to meet in person and when many homes across the constituency have poor connectivity and limited access to online meeting platforms, left families, parents and governors affected at a deep disadvantage, leaving communities feeling that they had no involvement in the decision making. These issues are far too important to be discussed on Zoom.
The politicians acknowledge that Powys County Council are under severe financial restraints due to years of underfunding from the Welsh Government and that difficult choices have to be made, however it shouldn’t be our school children paying the price.
Small schools are closing across Wales with many more facing closure and others have merged or face mergers with other schools creating super schools. With education devolved, James Evans MS has spoken against the closures in the Senedd and met with the Education Minister Jeremy Miles to outline objections. Sadly, the Welsh Government have ignored calls to step in.
The School Organisation Code was introduced in 2018 to protect small rural schools. It sets out everything that can be done to ensure a school is kept open before consulting on closure should be investigated. These closures clearly go against this very policy, in fact the policy leans toward favouritism toward super schools and rural schools have no protection.
Speaking in Parliament, Fay Jones also called on the Welsh Government and Powys County Council to take note of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant, which was established by the Conservative government in 2010, ensures that military personnel and veterans must not be disadvantaged as a result of their service. With education being included within the scope of the Covenant, Miss Jones argued that this weakened the case for closing schools for a number of military families who will once again find themselves displaced.
Rural schools not only provide excellent learning opportunities for our children, but they are the heart of our communities. Brecon and Radnorshire Conservatives offer their full support to those effected by these decisions.
