Budget cuts and not educational improvement may be behind a proposal to close Dundee’s three off-site education centres, the city’s Labour group has warned.
The council has unveiled plans to merge the sites, which provide schooling for “vulnerable and challenging” secondary pupils.
Under the proposals, Castlepark, Connect 5 and Balerno would close, with a new supercentre created at the former Rockwell Primary.
The proposals will be discussed by councillors next week and have been presented as a chance to improve education and facilities for the youngsters.
Ahead of the meeting, however, Labour’s education spokesman Laurie Bidwell has expressed serious concerns over what is proposed.
He believes the £510,000 saving that can be made by “downsizing and restructuring” the centres is a key driver behind the plan, describing it as “another ill thought out cost cutting exercise”.
He has questioned removing S1 and S2 pupils from the off-site provision, which will now be directed solely at S3 and S4 pupils, with younger students being educated in their own schools.
And he has expressed worry over the lack of detail within the proposals about pupil to staff ratios at the new centre.
At the moment, the ratio is generous at the three existing centres, with youngsters receiving extensive one-to-one support.
Mr Bidwell also has concerns about the money that has been spent improving the centres that will be mothballed.
“There are lots of details that need clarification,” he said.
“I am worried we are in danger of carelessly dismissing the effective work of our off-site education centres.
“I fear this is just another cost-cutting exercise and as a consequence we will not be ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’ but more likely ‘Getting it wrong for too many of our young people’.”
The council’s education convener, Stewart Hunter, said earlier this week that he believes the proposals will be positive for Dundee’s most vulnerable pupils.
“We want to ensure that all pupils at our schools have the chance to make the most of opportunities that will benefit them when they leave school.
“I believe a new approach to this service is an indication of an all-inclusive outlook and an ambition that all of our pupils should be able to succeed.
“This proposal will bring real benefits for the young people who are supported by these services.”
Detailed proposals will be considered by the council’s education committee on Monday after which a formal consultation is likely to run between November 30 and January 29.