Humza Yousaf MSP has today submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament expressing his disappointment at the decision by Glasgow City Council to close Gadburn School -an additional support learning school for children in the North-East of Glasgow.
 
Commenting, Humza Yousaf said: “The process leading up to the Council’s decision to close the school has been flawed and the wishes of parents with children at the school have been ignored. I’ve therefore submitted a motion to debate this issue in Parliament. Hopefully members from across the political spectrum will support the motion so we can discuss how to support the parents and pupils at Gadburn instead of forcing them to attend schools where the pupils may struggle. 

“I commend the parents of Gadburn School who have campaigned tirelessly to try and prevent this school closure, and share their concern at Glasgow City Council’s decision to shut the school.
 
“The closure of a school of this nature is a very sensitive subject, and it is apparent that the wishes of the parents have not been taken into account.
 
“I call upon members from all parties to support the motion I have submitted, as it will only be debated with the appropriate cross party support.”
 
Councillor Grant Thoms, member of the Glasgow City Council ward where Gadburn School is located, commented: “In January, having listened to parents and colleagues, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP, requesting that he use his statutory powers to call-in the decision of Glasgow City Council to close Gadburn School.
 
“Despite the unanimous support of a Scrutiny Committee to halt the closure programme and continue discussions between councillors, parents and education officials, the Education department is hell bent on closing the school rather than relocating it to Germiston and share Barmulloch Primary School’s buildings. 
 
Note:
 
The text of the motion is below:
 
S4M-01982 - Save Gadburn SchoolHumza Yousaf (Scottish National Party): That the Parliament notes with concern the decision by Glasgow City Council to close Gadburn School, which teaches children in the north east of Glasgow who have additional support needs; understands the importance of additional support schools with regard to the wellbeing and education of many of Scotland's young people and believes that the parents and teachers of these young people are best placed to understand the children's educational needs; commends the parents of the Gadburn pupils for what it considers to be their tireless campaign in trying to keep the school open and secure adequate educational facilities for children with additional support needs, and believes that the decision-making process for the future of Gadburn has been flawed.