As pupils and staff return to school after the October break, their safety is of utmost importance. That is why this month, I was grateful for the opportunity to finally visit Milngavie Primary School after the recent wave of press stories about the school’s refurbishment.
In 2021, East Dunbartonshire Council had agreed that Milngavie Primary School would undergo a full refurbishment, as there were reports of water dripping from the ceiling, along with mould and even mushrooms growing inside the building. Unfortunately, this full-scale refurbishment has been delayed for the foreseeable future.
After receiving numerous emails from concerned parents, including the Milngavie Primary Parent Council’s Chair, and then raising the issue with the First Minister, I paid a visit to Milngavie Primary. While I was able to witness previous repairs which dealt with the more immediate and isolated issues, these are a not a long-term solution and I believe the school still needs a full refurbishment. Nevertheless, I was assured by senior council officers that there was no present safety risk to pupils and staff.
As the Chief Executive and the Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council were both present during the school inspection, I asked them if funds were in place for a full refurbishment. They told me that a full report will be going to the Council, with a final decision on the matter to be made by the end of the year. I also requested that the Parent Council and myself, as the MSP for West Scotland, be updated on any progress of the repairs.
In the past four years, Milngavie pupils’ education has been disrupted because of Covid-19 and numerous teachers strikes. They cannot afford to have any more disruption because of their school building rapidly falling into a state of neglect and disrepair. That is why the East Dunbartonshire Council must do everything in its capacity to ensure that the refurbishment takes place as soon as possible.
In recent years unfortunately, council budgets have suffered due to inadequate funding from the SNP Government. As a result, councils have had to make difficult decision on where to allocate funding with education often taking a hit. I would therefore hope that the budget announced on 4 December by the Scottish Government includes adequate funding for local authorities.
As a local MSP, I will continue to press East Dunbartonshire Council to carry out the necessary repairs and the Scottish Government to properly fund councils so that our pupils receive the education they deserve.
