Council leader calls for Highland representation on rural education commission

THE leader of the local authority has written to the Scottish Government seeking a rethink over the lack of a Highland representative on the commission appointed to review the delivery of rural education in Scotland.

Councillor Michael Foxley is “extremely disappointed” education secretary Mike Russell did not include a Highland representative on the commission and has written to him asking someone from the area be included.

Dr Foxley argues that, having the greatest number of rural schools, the Highlands should have a representative on the review body.

“Within the Highlands, there are 156 rural primary schools and we have commenced a school estate review based upon the feeder primaries within their associated school group,” he writes.

“I believe that our procedures, which are based upon maximising educational benefit and thorough community engagement, comply fully not simply with the terms of the current legislation but most importantly with the spirit of the legislation.”

Dr Foxley adds: “If there is any possibility of an increase in the membership of the commission, then the Highland Council would be very keen to be included.”

* See Friday’s John O’Groat Journal for more on this issue.