In response to Ceredigion County Council's proposed plans to close 6 primary schools in the Llandysul area and Dyffryn Teifi Secondary School and opening one 3-19 year old School, parents from 4 of the schools have drawn up petitions that will be presented outside the Council's Main Office at Penmorfa, Aberaeron today (Wednesday at 4pm).Angharad Clwyd, Dyfed Organiser for Cymdeithas yr Iaith and a parent at Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul commented:"There is strong opposition in this area to the County Council's plan to close the area's village schools and to create just one school for 3 - 19 year olds. The size of the opposition is obvious from the number of people who have signed these petitions, with over 200 parents and community members from Capel Cynon and Coed y Bryn and over 120 from Aberbanc having signed the petitions and over 100 parents signing the petition from Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul."

The Llandysul petition calls on Ceredigion County Council and the Consultants of the Feasibility Study into a 3-19 year old school, to examine carefully other options for the area and expresses concern about the possibility of losing the school from the centre of Llandysul village.Angharad Clwyd added:"Implementing the Council's plans will hit the communities of the Llandysul area hard - destroying these communities including Llandysul town itself. Losing the two schools from the town on top of the effect of the Llandysul bypass will not only affect the town's businesses but the feeling of community.""The effect on the Welsh language will also be serious : children will associate the Language with Education only and not see it as part of community life. The villages will naturally age, while young families will choose other areas to live. The youngest children of 3/4 year olds will possibly be totally excluded from the all-important foundation phase in these areas as they are not allowed to travel by bus. In addition to all this there will be a negative environmental effect with the County Council completely contradicting their 'Keep Healthy' policies forcing children to travel by vehicles to the school making it completely impossible for the children to walk to school."Ffred Ffransis, Education Spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith added:"Nobody in the Llandysul area believes that the Council has any intention whatsoever of listening to other views. That is why they have commissioned a Feasibility Study which only looks into their own plan rather than exploring all the possibilities. However, the strong response to the petitions shows that parents want to fight for their children's education and for the future of their communities."