Education Protest Put on hold - (thisissouthwales.co.uk)

EDUCATION PROTEST ON HOLD FOR REPORT
CHRIS HENWOOD
18:00 - 23 June 2005

Welsh language lobby group Cymdeithas Yr Iaith has suspended its protest against the proposed £110m county-wide education revamp. The move comes after the group met with the council's recently appointed director of education Vernon Morgan.

Cymdeithas's decision to put a hold on its campaign came in response to Mr Morgan's promise of a document, due at the end of August, setting out the reasoning behind the Modernising Education Plan (MEP).

Cymdeithas spokesman Aled Davies, who has two children in Bancffosfelen School, said: "We suspect it might well be the council's intention to attempt to sell better their own ideas for closing village schools to a hostile public.

"However, we must take them at their word and try to transform this initiative into the fully blown and county-wide consultation on the whole future of education for which we asked.

"We shall do this by contacting the Primary Schools Forum with a view to organising a series of public meetings in September to discuss the council's paper."

Mr Morgan said: "Our meeting with the Welsh Language Society offered an opportunity for a useful exchange of information.

"We will be preparing a news supplement devoted to the MEP, which will be featured in the local press over the coming months."

In November council education bosses approved the MEP draft implementation plan.

The plan means 14 of the Gwendraeth Valley's primary schools could close in favour of five new, larger schools costing a total of £11m.

There would be investment of more than £1.6m at six existing schools to cope with the wider catchment areas due to school closures.

The council has consistently argued implementation of the MEP is necessary to tackle county-wide education problems such as surplus places, class sizes, multi-age classes, headteacher teaching times and lack of space and facilities, including indoor toilets.

The plan sparked anger from some parents and residents who see it as an attack on rural education and the fabric of village life.

Cymdeithas is also worried about the effect on the Welsh language.

Schools earmarked for closure:

Cwmgwili, Bancffosfelen, Mynyddcerrig, Ysgol Y Fro, Cefneithin, Cross Hands, Drefach, Gorslas, Maesybont, Gwynfryn, Ponthenri, Pontiets, Carway and Mynyddygarreg.

Plans for new schools:Two new schools (£5m total) for pupils at Cefneithin, Drefach, Gorslas and Cross Hands, and pupils at Maesybont, Cwmgwili and Nantygroes who may fall into the catchment area of the two new schools. One new school (£2.5m total) for pupils currently at Gwynfryn, Ponthenri and Pontiets, and pupils at Carway who may fall into the catchment area of the new school. A new school (£1.5m) for pupils at Penygroes. A new school in Trimsaran (£2m) for pupils at Trimsaran and Carway.

Plans to invest in existing schools: £80,000 for the refurbishment of Llechyfedach. £80,000 for the refurbishment of Tumble. £315,000 in Llannon for classroom extensions making the school fit for purpose. £80,000 in Ysgol Y Castell to make it fit for purpose. Catchment area to be extended to include some pupils from Ysgol Y Fro and Mynyddygarreg. £100,000 in Saron for classroom extensions. Catchment area to be extended to include Cwmgwili. £200,000 in Pontyberem to provide suitable accommodation and facilities to support a new school to replace Bancffosfelen. Catchment area to be extended to include Mynyddcerrig and some pupils from Ysgol Y Fro. £356,000 in Ferryside for classroom extensions and refurbishment. Catchment area to be extended to include some pupils from Ysgol Y Fro.

£375,000 in Ysgol Gwenllian to replace mobile accommodation. Catchment area to be extended to include some pupils from Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol Y Fro.

£500,000 in Tycroes for improvements in accommodation. Catchment area to be extended to include Llanedi. Unless stated otherwise, the siting of new schools and the alignment of their catchment areas is open to consultation.