CONTINUED uncertainty about the future of two primary schools is unfair on everyone involved, a PTA chairman has said. St Andrew’s Primary and St Sampson’s Infant are currently being considered for cost-cutting closure by the Education Department.
Minister Carol Steere has said the board will inform the schools of its decision in the autumn. But Alasdair McLaren, pictured, chairman of St Andrew’s PTA, said everyone connected with the school had hoped the new board would have announced its support sooner.
‘This continuing uncertainty is unfair on the parents, teachers, parishioners and finally, and most importantly, the children,’ he said. ‘We had asked that the board publicly state its long-term support for St Andrew’s Primary School before the end of this term. Why does the decision have to be made in the autumn?’
Deputy Steere is due to meet the two PTAs and said the board had recently met to discuss the issue. ‘I have given an undertaking to the schools that whatever decision is taken regarding the future of these schools, they will be the first to know because I think that is owed to them,’ she said. ‘My message to them has been that as yet it is likely to be the autumn before the decision is made. We do not believe that decisions like this should be rushed.
‘We have to have a situation where the board is comfortable with whatever decision is taken. We are certainly not at that stage yet.’
Deputy Steere said the board would meet again in September to discuss the issue.
‘It is very emotive and I fully understand and respect the fact that the schools would like to see an early decision because they are concerned about the impact that uncertainty can have on pupils, parents and staff,’ she said. ‘We are fully aware of that and that is why we have said it’s likely to be the autumn.’
Education could make the decision to close the schools on its own but would most likely take its recommendations to the States for the final decision.
Mr McLaren believed most deputies were against any closures.
‘Our argument is that there is no will in the House and no will in the island as a whole to see St Andrew’s Primary School close and we would expect the new Education board to have the courage to support primary education,’ he said.
Nick Batiste, chairman of St Sampson’s Infant PTA, said he was glad a decision date had now been set.
‘We also would have hoped to have had a decision by the end of this school year,’ he said.
‘But I’m pleased that we now have a date and are not left in limbo.’
He said his PTA was due to meet Deputy Steere today.
Article posted on 14th July, 2008 - 2.30pm
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