Brittany Walker
2/12/09
10:15 a.m.
As many as 17 island primary schools could close because of declining class attendance, and the poor state of school buildings in the Western Isles. A report made by the school councils education board says "The total roll (primary and secondary) 30 years ago was over 6300 while in September 2008 this had fallen to 3730. Even since the current phase of this debate started just over a year ago the number has fallen by another 120." Officials have already prepared a report looking at the schools that could be terminated. The school board is also looking to combine the 36 schools that they have on the island into 19 receiving schools in order to increase attendance records. It has already been decided that all seven of the islands' junior secondary schools will close, beginning in August 2011.
When reading this article I thought that it was really sad that so many schools were closing. I believe due to the lack of technology on the island the school does not have the funds or the natural resources to keep the buildings up. I was amazed when I looked at the statistics and compared the attendance from now to thirty years ago; attendance has declined more than 2500 students. However I did like the idea of combining the schools. I believe this will not only help attendance records to increase but also make a way for schools to save more money which will help them to maintain the up-keep of the buildings.
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2488671.0.17_primary_schools_in_Western_Isles_face_closure.php
This is extremely sad, i agree with you about the lack of technology on th eisland though. I think it's terrible that they have to close down but they really don't have any other options. I wish they could make the kids go to school but really there's no way to do that if the kids are at least 16. Combining the schools sounds likea pretty good idea though, at least now it will cost them less money and the schools will be full.
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