Moray school funding calls 'should not be ignored', demands MP

FUNDING calls for a new Buckie Community High School (BCHS) and other schools in Moray should not be ignored, the region's MP has demanded.

Douglas Ross MP has stated that analysis of the School Estates Statistics published earlier in 2023 show that out of the 44 primary schools in Moray, 21 are in a poor condition and a further one has been rated as being in a bad condition.

The statistics also confirm that out of the eight secondary schools in his constituency, four are in poor condition and one is in a bad condition.

He went on to slam what he called “appalling” cuts from the Scottish Government which he said are “firmly to blame” for half of the area’s schools being in a poor or bad condition.

Mr Ross went on to say that the findings will “deeply alarm” parents, pupils and teachers who were already “very aware” of many of Moray’s schools not being fit for purpose.

The Moray MP – alongside UK general election candidate and council leader Kathleen Robertson – recently welcomed funding for a replacement Forres Academy.

However, the duo also warned that calls for a new Buckie High cannot be ignored by the SNP-Green government.

In light of half of Moray’s primary and secondary schools being in a poor condition, Mr Ross said ministers must urgently “stump up” the funding required to ensure pupils are being taught in buildings that fit for purpose.

He branded the findings as another “black mark” against the SNP who have “wrecked” Scotland’s once world-leading education system.

Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “All of our pupils in Moray should be learning in a high-quality environment.

“Sadly, that is not the case due to appalling cuts over the years from the SNP-Green government imposed on Moray Council. Those cuts are firmly to blame for half of both Moray’s Primary and Secondary schools being in a poor or bad condition.

“While recent funding for a replacement Forres Academy was welcome, we need to see the SNP-Green government show much more ambition.

“There are clearly widespread problems across Moray and the local authority simply do not have the budget to bring these school buildings up to their required condition on their own.

“SNP-Green ministers need to stump up the cash and start proving that education really is their number one priority, as they insist it is.

“Right now the state of the school estate in Moray is another black mark against the SNP who have wrecked Scotland’s once world-leading education system.”