Funding row delays council vote to open dedicated Gaelic school

Published on Thursday 30 June 2011 15:04

THE decision on whether a dedicated Gaelic school can be opened in the Capital has been delayed amid a row over funding and soaring costs.

Education leader Marilyne MacLaren described the situation as a "disappointing state of play" as it was hoped a decision could be reached yesterday at a meeting of the full council.

It had been recommended that councillors approve plans to open a dedicated Gaelic primary in the former Bonnington Primary School in Leith.

But after the extent of the "serious deterioration" of the building emerged last week following a survey, the plan was thrown into jeopardy.

Councillors have now had to delay making any decision on the issue until a new report is published in September, which is set to give more detailed information about the costs of refurbishing Bonnington Primary and where funding for the project will come from.

The Scottish Government previously committed 1.4 million towards bringing the old school back into use, but after the council asked for more money - with the current estimated cost of the project standing at 3.6m - ministers described it as "unreasonable".

Councillor MacLaren said: "The state of the school is disgraceful. I am hopeful that in September we shall know the extent of the deterioration of that building. We also need to work up options in case Bonnington is not usable."

In a presentation to councillors - who all agreed in principle that a dedicated school was the best option - Alasdair Cameron, convener of Comann nam Parant, urged councillors to remember they were voting on the issue of Gaelic education, not on the problems with the Bonnington building.

He said: "The costs are not costs of Gaelic, they are costs of property neglect.

"A Gaelic school is the best educational development situation for Gaelic medium education (GME) and for our city."

Education bosses opted to create a dedicated Gaelic school following a public consultation.

Out of 598 responses, 94 per cent stated their preference for a dedicated school, rather than extending the GME unit currently based at Tollcross.

Pupil numbers in the GME unit at Tollcross have risen from 90 to 158 in the past six years.

Mr Cameron said parents were heartened that all parties agreed with the establishment of the school in principle.

Cameron Rose, education spokesman for the Conservatives, described the current situation as an "embarrassing situation" for the council.

He added: "We have entered into negotiations with the Scottish Government to take forward our vision of Gaelic in Edinburgh and we have done that on the basis of totally inaccurate figures."