MSP WELCOMES PROGRESS ON N E FIFE SCHOOLS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 11th Oct 2007

North East Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Iain Smith has welcomed the progress that has been made so far by the new administration in Fife Council towards addressing the long-standing concerns about the inadequate buildings at Madras College in St Andrews.

Speaking this week, Iain Smith said "the new Liberal Democrat/SNP Administration has done more in the last 20 weeks than Labour did in 20 years to address the dual problems of a split school site and poor school buildings that are hampering the education of pupils in St Andrews and North Fife.

"I welcome the clear commitment for the long overdue replacement of the existing Madras buildings.

"There remain two options for this - a single site school in St Andrews or two schools, one in St Andrews and one to serve the Taybridghead.

"I fully support the call by the Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of Fife Council Elizabeth Riches for full option appraisal so that a proper informed choice can be made of what is the best option, not just in terms of pupil numbers but also the wider issues of cost, transport, environment, sustainability, community facilities but above all what will provide the best educational outcomes for our children.

"I am in regular contact with my Liberal Democrat colleagues on Fife Council on this vital issue, and can assure everyone in North east Fife that we are doing all we can to ensure the best education is available to all."

ENDS