Written before Leighton Andrews' resignation.
Pentre Action Group are dismayed and appalled by the way in
which the fight to save Pentre Primary from closure has been politicised by
various groups seeking to pursue their own personal agendas.
Education Minister, and Rhondda AM,
Leighton Andrews appears to be the target for those same people who have
cynically exploited the situation at our school. From the outset we wanted to
ensure that the fight to save Pentre focused on the real issues surrounding the
children, parents and wider community. As our AM Leighton Andrews is perfectly
entitled to participate in the consultation process.
Plaid Cymru’s assertions that Leighton Andrews is trying to
shut our school is simply incorrect. The WAG
has of course an issue with surplus places in schools and many schools in Wales ,
like ours, will inevitably come under scrutiny. However clear and stringent
guidelines have been set in place by the Minister to ensure that when a school
is proposed for closure the LEA must apply
certain checks and balances. Each case must be judged on its own merit.
Our legal challenge to the LEA
is based upon the fact that they have not given due consideration to the
guidelines and in many cases have totally ignored ministerial advice.
Incidentally after October 1st they will be legally obliged to
follow these guidelines.
It is important to remember that at the heart of this is not
the issue of surplus places but the safety of our children. There are no safe
routes to Treorchy and we are shocked that the LEA
has not undertaken a safe route assessment prior to bringing forward the
proposal to close Pentre Primary as clearly set out in ministerial guidelines.
Mr Andrews shares our concerns and we are pleased to note
that we have an AM prepared to put the interests of children before political
expediency,
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