Last minute challenge over village schools

Cadwn Ein Hysgolion.JPGDuring the final days before the election, Cymdeithas yr Iaith has contacted each Party leader to demand a simple "YES" or "NO" answer to a key question about the future of village schools. Cymdeithas have asked the leaders if the new Education Minister - should he or she come from their party - will agtree to meet a deputation of concerned parents, governors and campaigners to discuss the future of Village Schools.

Cymdeithas Education spokesperson, Ffred Ffransis, explains "Jane Davidson met Cymdeithas yr Iaith to discuss the issue in 2000 and 2002 and subsequently issued new guidelines to local authorities on school closures. These guidelines demanded that the impact of closure on the language and local community should be studied, and that all alternatives to closure should be explored. She said that time would be needed to judge the effectiveness of the new guidelines. Since then Councils such as Carmarthenshire have totally ignored the guidelines and have reduced consultation into a farcical ritual of going through the motions. Jane Davidson has allowed them to get away with it by rejecting every appeal against closure, and has avoided responsibility by refusing since 2002 to meet any group of parents, governors or campaigners to discuss the issue."If the new Minister of Education announces in early May that he or she is willing now to meet a deputation to discuss the future of Village Schools, then this will send out a new message of hope for the future and a warning to LEA'S that they must adhere to the guidelines. It's a very simple question, and the electors deserve a simple YES or NO reply."