PARENTS TO FIGHT CALL FOR CLOSURE

Liz Perkins - 16 June 2005

Parents of youngsters at a primary school threatened with closure are considering whether to take their fight to the Assembly. Representatives from Welsh pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith joined mums and dads from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garnswllt to offer advice on how to save the school from closing.

Placard-waving pupils also took part in the meeting at Garnswllt village hall and staged a mini-protest.Around 40 concerned mums and dads were at the meeting where they were told to lobby their local AMs on the issue.

The school closure is part of Swansea Council's reorganisation, which also includes closing Dylan Thomas School and transferring the pupils to Bishop Gore comprehensive.

Education leaders say their controversial plans will free up £39 million which could be ploughed back into education in the county.

The decision to proceed with consultation on the proposed closures was taken by Swansea Council's cabinet last Thursday.Cymdeithas yr Iaith education spokesman Ffred Ffransis warned parents at the meeting that they would have to fight if they wanted to keep the school open.

He said: "A school like this is something which should be treasured. You need to show how successful little schools can be."

We have to consider the effect on the Welsh language and put education first.

"You should contact all the opposition parties in the Assembly and tell them, do you realise what your councillors in Swansea are doing?

"If you can get this message of support from those politicians in Cardiff, it will be a good thing.

"Parents are already aiming to get a petition underway in a bid to keep the school open.

Mr Ffransis said it was important that parents made their opposition known to the local authority.

He added: "We want to keep the school exactly as it is."