On Sunday 14th March the proposed closure of Borthwick School was raised at a meeting of the congregation. The following statement was unanimously agreed by the Elders and 100% of those present:

While we welcome the Council's desire to improve the quality of educational facilities for the Primary School children of Midlothian and the provision of new schools for Pathhead and Gorebridge:

We believe that the speed with which the proposed changes are to be introduced is unacceptable and that the time period allowed for consultation on matters of such moment to parents and children is too short to allow adequate meaningful consultation on the basis of mature and considered reflection.

We believe that the manner in which the Council has acted and is acting lacks compassion and an adequate appreciation of the impact of their proposed closures upon many of the children, parents and staff involved.

We believe that the maintenance of diversity and choice for parents is valuable and that the option of rural education for those living in or near rural areas is worth preserving and developing.

We believe that the closure of rural schools tends towards the reduction of rural communities to rural dormitories.

We believe that the improvement of educational facilities and opportunity throughout Midlothian's schools ought not to be achieved at the cost of the sacrifice of some of the best rural schools.

We urge the Council to review its proposals in the light of these concerns.

The ancient Greek writer Aesop is best known for his popular work "Aesop's Fables." The arguments presented for the closure of rural schools in general and Borthwick in particular are literally "fabulous" - i.e. myth, make-believe, lacking any reasonable factual basis!!

I am afraid that Donald "Aesop" Mackay, as I am coming to think of him, is (whether intentionally or unintentionally) misleading the public about the situation in Borthwick:

This has been done partly by encouraging the staff to produce a "wish-list" and then using this to argue shortcomings in the school! A deceitful and ethically dubious procedure for a Director and Department which ought to be committed to teaching the next generation honesty!

The Council says (or implies):

• modern curriculum needs cannot be met in rural schools
• the state of the building is inadequate
• there are insufficient PE facilities
• the school roll cannot be sustained
• there is inadequate music provision
• the facilities and education offered is inadequate
• the office/staff facilities are inadequate

The facts are:

• it is perfectly possible to deliver IT in rural schools. Borthwick already has excellent provision and tuition - I have seen excellent Powerpoint Presentations produced by the P5 pupils.
• the Report on the building referred to in the proposals is FIVE years out of date.
• Borthwick's children are physically fitter and healthier than children in the town schools
• People are clamouring to get their children into Borthwick - it could be more than full and the catchment population is growing.
• Music is delivered to the whole school (did you see the EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION - beat that if you can!)
• French is delivered to P3-7 - better than many other Primary Schools

BORTHWICK'S ACHIEVEMENTS ALREADY SURPASS BOTH MIDLOTHIAN AND NATIONAL AVERAGES.

There is a rule of common sense which the Council appears to have forgotten: "If it's not broken don't fix it!!"

In the world of medicine you don't shoot one person to cure another! Don't kill Midlothian's rural schools to cure Midlothian's town schools!!

I have a QUESTION for the Director of Education and I don't think we should rest until he provides and answer:

How many people have COMPLAINED to the Education Department about the quality of education their children are receiving in Midlothian's rural schools?

Donald, if it's not broken - don't fix it!!

NOTE: AT LAST NIGHTS PUBLIC MEETING THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ADMITTED HE KNEW OF NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN ANY OF MIDLOTHIAN'S RURAL SCHOOL - Q E D!!