Parents waiting to find out if Scottish ministers will overturn a Fife Council decision to close their school have expressed “great disappointment” that a decision will now not be made until after the independence referendum.
In June, the Save Pitcorthie Primary School campaign requested that the Scottish Government call in the Labour-run council’s decision to close the school.
Education Secretary Mike Russell had said that a full investigation of the arguments would take place and a decision would be reached by the end of July but in a letter to parents the council said it has been advised that due to “purdah”, which began on Friday, a decision is not now expected before September 18.
Campaigner Andrew Hutchison told The Courier: “It’s with great disappointment that pupils, parents and teachers will now have to wait until after September 19. We were all hoping to have heard some news on the school this week.
“We are still hopeful that the ministers will see sense and reverse this proposed closure,” he added.
“We can only assume that there has been so much information that is being scrutinised by the minister that he does not want to be rushed into a conclusion.”
Dunfermline Labour MSP and Fife councillor Cara Hilton, who pushed for the Scottish Government to call-in Fife Council’s decision, said: “This is a long time to wait with this kind of uncertainty and worry and I was stunned to learn that parents are being told the decision has been put on hold until after the referendum.
“The decision impacts on other schools, including Commercial, Lynburn, Touch and Camdean, where parents and teachers are all anxiously waiting to find out what the future holds for them and their pupils.
“I think this is a disgrace.”
Dunfermline and West Fife Labour MP Thomas Docherty said: “This is extremely disappointing for the parents, pupils and staff involved and I simply cannot accept that Scottish ministers need over two months to take a decision on this, when during the Dunfermline by-election last year, ministers were falling over themselves to stand with ‘Save Pitcorthie’ placards and campaign on this issue.
“They know full well what is at stake here and what all the arguments are, so I don’t see how such a delay can be justified given anxiety around this decision.”
Fife Council’s executive committee endorsed the closure on April 15, despite its education scrutiny committee calling for a review and rethink of the closure.
However, the same scrutiny committee voted in favour of the closure when it was referred back to members two weeks later.
There has been some controversy over the condition of the building.
Campaigners for the school highlighted the fact the council’s own experts judged the structure to be safe and not in need of urgent repair.
Education officials said there were too many primary school places in the area and the building needs £3 million of repairs.