Ullapool parent council campaign surpasses 600 signatures – and awaits education secretary response
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Ullapool, Gairloch, Kinlochbervie and Farr parent councils have surpassed more than 600 signatures in their campaign to save education in rural schools – however education secretary Jenny Gilruth is yet to respond.
The Save Our Rural Schools campaign, launched their open letter to Jenny Gilruth and Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner on February 6. In the open letter, the west Highland parents bluntly tells of how the small rural schools are “failing to provide a basic curriculum” due to unavailability of core subjects, under-staffing, and insufficient funding that is “taking its toll” on the future and wellbeing of pupils, teachers and the livelihoods of these rural communities.
READ MORE ON THE SAVE OUR RURAL SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN:
- Ullapool and Gairloch high schools cannot deliver 'even a basic curriculum'
- West Highland parents say their high schools "are beyond breaking point"
Since the launch of the campaign, the open letter has received over 600 signatures at the time of writing, yet cabinet secretary for education Jenny Gilruth is yet to respond to any of the concerns raised by the parents.
The parents are now demanding a formal meeting with Jenny Gilruth and Raymond Bremner.
While Raymond Bremner has replied to the open letter, the parents claim he has simply given them a "stock response".
“Raymond Bremner, the Highland Council leader, has replied to us highlighting what Highland Council is already doing but saying nothing about what the Council will do to respond to our demands. We’re still waiting to hear from Jenny Gilruth at the Scottish Government," said Seoras Burnett, chair of Ullapool High School parent council.
“Across the country, small rural schools have been writing to us saying the issues are the same for them, that they are also struggling to provide basic education and learning support to their pupils. These issues can no longer be swept under the carpet.”
Parents of the four west coast parent councils that they have been "left with no choice but to start shouting very loudly" after many years of writing unsuccessful letters, requests and petitions calling for these issues to be addressed.
Denise MacDonald from Kinlochbervie High School parent council stated: “We are asking for real, tangible, action. For too long officials have simply passed the buck between different levels of government. Education and learning support in rural schools is simply not comparable to large, urban schools.
“We would like the opportunity to sit around a table with Cabinet Secretary for Education Gilruth and Councillor Bremner to discuss these issues so that they recognise that this is bigger than just a tweak here, or a tweak there. The current system is failing our young people.”
View or sign the Save Our Rural Schools open letter here.
