Call for common sense over sentiment as schools face axe

A CALL for common sense “instead of sentiment” has been made by a former Carmarthenshire cabinet member during an emotive discussion about the potential closure of four schools.

- RICHARD YOULE

Ysgol Pontiets, which is under threat of closure.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths said that declining pupil numbers were a reality and, that in his view, the council, which runs schools, had to accept this and adapt.

But another councillor, Jean Lewis, said closing a school in her ward would “accelerate the deterioration of a rural area”.

The Plaid-Independent-led authority is proposing to close Ysgol Llansteffan, Llansteffan, at the end of August 2026 and Ysgol Y Fro, near Kidwelly, Ysgol Meidrim, west of Carmarthen, and Ysgol Pontiets, Pontyates, at the end of December 2026 although no final decisions have been made.

Speaking at a scrutiny committee meeting, Cllr Hughes Griffiths pointed out that two of the four schools - Ysgol Y Fro and Ysgol Meidrim - had been placed in “special measures” by inspection body Estyn and that in his view it was unfair on staff who had to teach mixed-year group classes in small primaries.

He said such schools lacked funding and sometimes head teachers and that education standards suffered.