 The council is likely to make a decision this autumn |
A reorganisation of Cardiff schools is in the pipeline because of surplus places, compounded by falling pupil numbers. A series of public meetings have been organised by Cardiff Council this month, while governors, head teachers and unions will also be consulted over future strategy.
Pupil numbers in Cardiff are expected to drop from 51,549 to 45,000 by 2014.
The council said it also faces a repair backlog of �51.5m.
Six public consultation meetings are to be held throughout May across the city.
A Strategic Framework - entitled Schools For The Future - will be put to the public before recommendations are passed to the Executive at the council.
The consultation includes a questionnaire for the public to fill in.
'Efficient education'
There are three options which have been considered by the Informal Advisory Group - a forum established by the council to look as the issues.
One option is to do nothing, the other is a school closure programme and the third is a city-wide school reorganisation programme.
But the IAG say the 'do nothing' option is not realistic.
 | MAY PUBLIC MEETINGS May 12: Western Leisure Centre, Ely 16: City Hall 17: Ysgol Gymraeg Plasmawr 18: Eastern Leisure Centre, Llanrumney 24: Radyr Comprehensive School 25: University Hall Conference Centre, Birchwood Rd Meetings all start at 1900 BST |
Their preferred option is a reorganisation programme.
Other local authorities in Wales are also tackling the issue of surplus places.
In Carmarthenshire, 32 schools have been earmarked for merger and closure proposals, while Denbighshire council is also looking at the future of rural primary schools.
Hugh Knight, Chief Schools and Lifelong Learning officer, said Cardiff council had a responsibility to "secure effective and efficient education" for children.
"Currently we need to deal with a significant over-supply of school places which is a waste of scarce resources.
"The public meetings will provide an opportunity for people to comment on a strategic framework which will shape the future of schools."
The document states:
If no action is taken by 2010 the level of surplus places will rise in English community primary schools from 20% to 28%. By 2010, it could double to 15% in English medium secondary schools. Surplus places are higher is more economically-deprived areas of the city. Primary schools vary in numbers of pupils on roll from 41 to 609. Secondary schools vary in numbers from 541 to 2,350. Mr Knight said he hoped the council could later move forward to "formulate specific proposals".
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Currently we need to deal with a significant over-supply of school places which is a waste of scarce resources.
