The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen has expressed disappointment at the decision of Aberdeen City Council`s ruling Lib-Dem/SNP partnership to overturn the decision taken on September 17th by its Education and Children`s Services Committee which called for the establishment of a Joint Working Group with representation from the Church and the Council as well as parents and teachers.
The intention was that this group would review the existing provision of Catholic schools in the city and produce a plan for the future of Catholic Education at both primary and secondary levels. The Education and Children`s Services Committee also approved a plan to conduct a proper consultation on the possibility of establishing a Catholic Secondary School. This followed complaints by a number of councillors that the recent consultation on the subject was deeply flawed. This complaint has also been voiced by representatives of Parent Councils of Catholic Schools in the city.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert said, ” We are surprised and disappointed that the City Council has decided to disregard the decision of its own Education Committee which was supported by elected members from different political parties and importantly all of the teacher, parent and religious representatives at the meeting on September 17th.
“Catholic education in Aberdeen can only be successful if the Council and the Church work together in a spirit of mutual support and respect. The number of Catholic primary schools in Aberdeen is much smaller than we would expect in a city with a Catholic population of almost twenty thousand. We have three Catholic primaries; Dundee, with a Catholic population one thousand greater than Aberdeen, has twelve Catholic primaries.
“Almost all Scottish families have the opportunity to send their children to a Catholic Secondary School and thousands of families who are not Catholic take advantage of this opportunity. Aberdeen`s families are denied this opportunity and the City Council has decided that it will not discuss this situation with the Church.”
Bishop Hugh added that he hopes the City Council will reconsider this matter and agree to open dialogue with the Church for the benefit of all of the people of Aberdeen.
