MSP urges mums and dads to make their feelings known

Parents from Ballingry and Hill of Beath have been most upset by the placements announced by the council education department, with placements for St Kenneth's Primary School's nursery under most fire.

The MSP said that the council stated that when a place is allocated: “There is no statutory right of appeal if parents do not get the nursery placement requested, but an appeal can be submitted if parents think they have been allocated the wrong priority level during the allocation process. In this situation, parents are advised to follow the appeals process listed in the allocation letter received”.

Mr Rowley said he is urging all parents to appeal where they have not been allocated a place of their choice and for the council to examine with care the difficulties the placements are causing for families.

He said this week: “Parents who have a child or children in a specific school are being told that their child applying for nursery will have to go to another school, which in many cases is miles apart causing real practical difficulties, not to mention the fact that children are being separated from their siblings".

The Labour MSP quoted one parent who said: 'I am a single mother with two children, who cannot guarantee access to a vehicle. It is difficult enough trying to get two children ready in the morning without the added pressure of getting them to two different places'.

He said: “The officials at Fife Council need to remember that it is about providing a service to families that helps them and tries to fit the services round the family rather than parents being told take what you get regardless of the impact on your family”.

Mr Rowley said there seemed to be a lot of pressure in the Benarty area and is asking Fife Council to review the provision and respond to the many complaints being made. See Page 3.