Powys County Council’s Cabinet decided this week (Tuesday 29th September) to commission a further report to examine the future configuration of secondary schools in the county.
The County Council’s Education Department will now assess a business case for a Welsh Medium Secondary School and the knock on effect on primary Welsh language education in the county before making any decision.
As a result, any decision on the future of the county’s high schools will now be delayed until at least Spring 2016 despite having already commissioned an external consultancy to produce a “comprehensive” report which cost £24,000 from the public purse.
During weekly questions to Carwyn Jones AM, Mr George was selected to ask the first question to the First Minister.
After having questioned the First Minister on its school modernisation programme, Russell George AM said:
“The Welsh Government has repeatedly confirmed that its schools modernisation programme is about creating the right environment for students regardless of their background and where they live.
“Therefore, in implementing school modernisation, all local authorities must do more than just consider the financial viability of secondary school provision when coming to a decision on the proposals to close any school.
“Every child should have the choice to be educated in a local school in the language of their choice and, over the next few months, as Powys County Council considers its business case, I will be urging them to ensure that this principle is at the forefront of their minds.
“The proposals on the future provision of secondary education in North Powys are of huge importance for parents, pupils and communities across Powys. The way in which Powys County Council and its consultants, Sbectrwm, have conducted this process so far has dented confidence in the process and heaped worry and uncertainty on parents and pupils.
“It is now essential that all interested parties are now given ample opportunity to fully participate in the discussion on the future of our education system in Powys.”