Rural education committee meet for first time

The first meeting of the Commission on Rural Education took place in Edinburgh this morning.

The commission was formed after the Scottish Government’s nationwide moratorium on school closures — which delayed investigations into the possible closure of the Burray and Stenness primary schools.

Speaking after the meeting, cabinet secretary for education Michael Russell said: “This has been a very constructive first session of the Commission on Rural Education. In June, I announced that legislation governing the closure of schools in rural areas would be looked at closely and that there would be recommendations on best practice on the delivery of education in rural areas.

“The group is tasked with delivering precisely that. This is the first step on a long journey, but I’d like to thank Sheriff David Sutherland for his professional chairing of the meeting and Commission members for taking part.

“Over the coming months, members will be getting out and about to rural Scotland to hear about the issues for themselves. There will be plenty of opportunities to submit views and I would urge everyone with an interest to contribute to the commission’s work.”