THE leader of the Highland Council has warned that the ‘scale of the challenge’ relating to its school estate is ‘too great’ for the local authority to manage within its own resources.
Raymond Bremner’s comments come following the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for education, Jennifer Gilruth’s, statement in parliament that she will be taking forward further engagement and collaboration with COSLA to explore how the Scottish Government can address the remaining sub-standard condition schools, and schools required due to population growth.
Nationally, the percentage of schools graded as ‘good’ is nearly 91%. However, in the Highlands, the figure stands at just under 20%. Furthermore, 68 (34%) of the region’s school buildings have an overall rating of ‘C – poor condition’, and 74 (37%) are rated ‘C – poor suitability’.
The council said it is ‘very encouraged’ by Jennifer Gilruth’s comments and is ‘keen’ to engage as constructively as possible with the Scottish Government.
Raymond Bremner, leader of the Highland Council, added, “We have 200 schools across Highland. Despite a huge amount of investment in the school estate, the scale of the challenge is just too great for the council to manage within its own resources, which is why the council is keen to explore any and all opportunities to enhance the capital it has available for repair and refurbishment as well as wholescale replacement.”
