Local politicians are too afraid to tackle the major problems facing Aberdeenshire schools, a Peterhead councillor has claimed.
Alan Buchan believes his fellow members are focusing too much on their re-election prospects to risk dramatically reforming the under-pressure network.
He spoke out as the local authority pushed ahead with plans to reshuffle catchment areas in Peterhead to cope with rising pupil rolls.
Last night Mr Buchan, an independent councillor, said: “I mentioned it at our last council meeting and everyone went silent on it.
“The problem is there has been no investment in Peterhead school facilities in 30 or 40 years.
“We’re losing £50million off the budget of Aberdeenshire Council over the next two years. How are we going to fund it? That’s the biggest question.”
He highlighted the case of Longhaven school near Peterhead which has 15 pupils, suggesting that if it closed pupils could move to nearby Port Erroll which is under-capacity.
“We’ve got 150-odd primary schools and the minute you start talking about shutting schools – especially the rural ones – all the parents are up in arms protesting. Then all the politicians back off,” he said.
“Politicians can’t afford to say they’ll shut the schools even though they can’t afford to keep them open.”
A report to the Buchan area committee proposing rearranging the catchment areas in Peterhead revealed seven of the town’s 10 schools had “major problems”.
Every local authority in Scotland grades their schools’ suitability on a scale from A-D.
Seven in Peterhead – Boddam, Buchanhaven, Burnhaven, Dales Park, Meethill, Central and St Fergus – are graded as C, which means they are “showing major problems or not operating optimally”.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “The six-week consultation regarding the rezoning of schools in Peterhead gave local parents and stakeholders the opportunity to discuss their views with the council in a range of different ways.
“The council confirms that there is investment in the existing school estate of Peterhead and is currently considering other options to improve the condition and suitability of schools in the area.”