THE PEOPLE v THE SNP - THE BATTLE FOR SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL (PART 5)

The stone hard face of the SNP and their council masters was once again on show, this was at the last consultative meeting on the closure of South Primary School which took place at Lochfield Primary. Lochfield will be affected by a large number of children moving there if the closure goes ahead. A large crowd of concerned parents from South and Lochfield were in attendance, and the same road show was trotted out again, the parents once again wiped the floor with the platform trio who are now delighted that that part of the process is over they have stuck it out or, put another way displayed their “ Brass Necks” How they can close this school after going through this process beggars belief but I suspect that they will, they have been hammered into the ground at every meeting by angry parents who are concerned at their proposals to close South Primary.

Parents have quite rightly highlighted the hypocrisy of the SNP led administration who promised reduced class sizes and are actively now increasing them, while at the same time damaging the job prospects of young teachers. It is a complete betrayal of those who voted for them. I hope people remember this. Cllr. Cameron displayed her hostility blatantly at this meeting where the parents from each primary sat on different sides of the isle; she pointedly refused to bring in people from South Primary who were incensed. Not only did she curtail the meeting against the wishes of the parents but she ignored the raised hand of a young woman who sat among the South parents, despite being from Lochfield, this caused Cllr. Cameron to deliberately ignore her. She finally got in and tore strips off the chair for her behaviour and made some hard hitting points, highlighting the fact as I have previously done that at no time did the platform mention the welfare of the children, they talked exclusively about money to the exclusion of what was best for the children, a total disgrace.

The pipes played and the drums banged, balloons were let go and placards waved as the parents, children and opposition politicians, took off on their demonstration march to the Council Chambers on Friday afternoon November 31St. 08 from South Primary. Down through the town to Cotton St. marched the noisy good natured riot of colour and movement which was applauded all the way by the paisley Buddies who witnessed it and there were plenty who did. Pedestrians, shoppers, smokers in pub doorways etc. all gave encouragement, cars and taxis hooted their approval, this was no surprise, education matters greatly. The ordinary people on the street that day do not need to be convinced of that. The SNP however do.

The local paper the Paisley Daily Express also covered the demo. and ran the story with colourful pictures and interviews with participants, the paper and the citizenry are becoming more and more aware of the educational vandalism which is going on in Renfrewshire, ask any teacher.

Something strange also happened that day, the local press, the radio, even the tele. knew about this march. Politicians from Holyrood, Westminster and Cotton St. knew about it and attended in protest along with the parents and kids, the public knew and cheered them to the echo but, there is always a but isn’t there ? guess who didn’t know about it ? well you might not be surprised to know that the following didn’t know, or so they say.

No one from the SNP led administration knew about it Cllr. MacKay the council leader stated he did not know about it. Cllr. Cameron the Education Convener was missing she hasn’t commented and no one from education was seen and they haven’t commented either.

Perhaps they think that if they stick their heads in the sand for long enough it will go away, having met the parents from South Primary I have a feeling that they might be reading that wrong. Everyone should support this school, and help to stop the SNP attacks on our children’s education.