Overhaul plans get green light
PLANS to overhaul the education system in Neath Port Talbot have been rubber-stamped, despite protests from angry parents and children.
Families from Duffryn Afan school in Port Talbot gathered outside the Civic Centre yesterday to object to plans to close the school and send the children to Cymer Afan primary.
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Youngsters and parents holding a demonstration outside Port Talbot Civic Centre over the closure of Duffryn Afan Primary School. JM170210/A/1
The plans, according to a report from Karl Napieralla, director of the authority's education, leisure and lifelong learning department, are a result of falling pupil numbers and the state of school buildings.
Cymmer councillor Scott Jones, who is not a voting member of the cabinet scrutiny committee, addressed the meeting on behalf of his constituents.
He said: "Closing Duffryn Afan school will be the death of a valley. It really brings together the communities of Cynonville and Duffryn Rhondda.
Councillor Jones also expressed concerns about job losses.
Neath Port Talbot Council officers believe £367,000 could be saved over the next five years by merging the schools.
Mr Napierella said: "We want to make sure all pupils in Neath Port Talbot are given equal opportunities when it comes to education.
"These proposals will have a knock-on effect for the whole county."
Council cabinet members voted to accept the proposals at a meeting in Port Talbot Civic Centre. Also on the agenda were plans to create a single campus for Dwr y Felin comprehensive, merging the lower and upper parts of the school.
Councillors also scrutinised the merger of Glanymor and Tirmorfa primary schools. They approved all the officer's proposals, and the plans will now go into further consultation.
Council leader Ali Thomas said: "I'm not in the business of shutting down schools. This process is about creating equal opportunities for every child in Neath Port Talbot."
helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk
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3 Comments
by Tracy, Afabn Valleys
Monday, February 22 2010, 10:54AM
“I am a mum of 4 all of whom have attended dyffryn afan primary, 2 have since moved on to comprehensive school 2 of which still attend dyffryn afan I have seen the pupil numbers increase in the 7 years that i have lived hear ,and to close the school would be going against all the government plans to get children more active, If the closure goes ahead then the children will not be able to walk to and from school. This will also male life a loy harder for parents that do not have transport as if a child is ill in school and needs to be picked up it is going to take them at least 2 hours to get the child home there is only 1 bus an hour. I would urge the council and welsh assembly to think very carefully before they go ahead with the closure. We need our school.”
by darren, afan valleys
Friday, February 19 2010, 12:25PM
“As a parent of 3 children who attend the school, i find it an abomination that they intend to shut the school. Educational standards have risen, the pupil numbers have increased, Transport in this area is pretty abysmal as there is one bus every hour that goes up to Cymmer. The local school is a centeral hub for all ages, and the threatened closure will destroy the community,
But the thing i find more allarming is the fact that they can put £2 million into improving a cycle track, but seems that the council have no regard for the future of the children who grow within it's borough,”
by Jacqui, Afan Valleys
Friday, February 19 2010, 9:45AM
“Equal opportunities, yes that would be correct, equal for children to spend time in class sizes of higher child teacher ratios to save money, and to have an equal chance of lower grades due to less one to one help. So yes that would be equal. BUT would that be a good thing? I think not! Our children are worth more than a price tag above their heads.”