Moray Conservatives condemn SNP record on education as official figures demonstrate neglect of school estate
Moray Conservatives have responded to official figures confirming that schools in Moray are in a worse condition than in any other local authority area in Scotland.
Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said:
“This report is shocking. It is proof positive that our warnings about the neglect of Moray and the North of Scotland by the SNP Scottish Government are correct and that it is having a direct impact on the people we represent.
“The fact that the condition of 32 out of 45 of our primary schools in Moray are officially classified as “unsatisfactory” shows clearly that years of under-investment in the school estate is now having serious consequences. And it’s nearly as bad in Highland.
“We have argued again and again that Moray gets an unfair deal from the Scottish Government and yet our warnings have fallen on deaf ears. This has been allowed to happen under the watch of the Salmond/Sturgeon SNP Governments and they now have to wake up and do something about it.”
Cllr Tim Eagle, Conservative Group Leader on Moray Council, and a member of the Council’s Education Committee, said:
“It is a matter of huge concern to all councillors that Moray is bottom of the league table when it comes to our school estate. Whilst the council now has a property asset strategy in place which will be looking at buildings across the council it is shocking that our young people are being taught in buildings which are not suitable.
“This is why we wanted to ensure Moray Council had a full and frank discussion with the SNP Scottish Government about our finances as years of poor settlements meant we could only afford a ‘make do and mend policy’. Sadly both Nicola Sturgeon and Derek Mackay were not interested in the financial plight of the Council.
“It is now time for the Education Minister, John Swinney, to intervene and do something on behalf of our children"
