MSP urges constituents to respond to Rural Education commission

MSP urges constituents to respond to Rural Education commission

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan, has today urged communities in the Western Isles to take part in the consultation on future of rural education in Scotland, currently being undertaken by the Commission on Rural Education.

The Commission has been set up by the Government Department in which Alasdair Allan is a Minister, and information on how to respond to this consultation can be found via www.commissiononruraleducation.org or by calling 0131 244 0877

Alasdair Allan commented: ‘The Commission on Rural Education will be seeking views, on behalf of the Scottish Government, as to how we can best develop education in rural areas in future and to examine the link between rural education and rural communities.

‘The membership of this commission is made up of a mix of local authority representatives, teachers’ representatives, parent representatives and academics to give as wide a cross-section of views as possible, but the best source of opinion would be for as many local people with an interest in rural education to respond to this consultation.

‘Given the on-going debate about this topic in the Western Isles it is important we get the legislation right for the future. Although legislation was strengthened in the last Parliament, the view has been expressed that this is still not adequate, so it is important that we get this right.

‘In light of the strong views on this subject in the islands, both as Minister and local MSP I would be very keen for communities in the Western Isles to make their voices heard.’

The Call for Evidence will close on 12 January 2012.