 The council will assess the proposals later this year |
Councillors in Shetland are to consider closing five small rural primary schools and two secondaries as part of a major education review. Rolls are said to be falling in more remote areas but rising in Lerwick.
Earmarked for possible closure are Uyeasound, Burravoe, Cullivoe, North Roe and Sandness primaries and the Baltasound and Skerries secondaries.
Concern has been expressed and a full evaluation of the proposals will come before councillors later this year.
At Scalloway Secondary, options include closure when the new Anderson High School is built.
The report also includes plans for Lerwick to extend Sound Primary and replace Bells Brae Primary.
Councillor Bill Manson, the council's education spokesperson, said the authority would be doing a disservice to the future school children of Shetland if it did not examine the options.
However, responding to the Baltasound closure possibility, Unst councillor Brian Gregson said: "Unst has been in the wars recently, including with the closure of the RAF base.
"There's a much improved atmosphere with hopes for future investment.
"But the school plan is unthinkable - I am convinced there would be no educational benefit.
"It's hitting a community when it's just beginning to get back up after an eight count.
"I expect a tremendous outcry and the community will have a say."
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It's hitting a community when it's just beginning to get back up after an eight count
