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Schools Protest Ends in Tears

March 17, 2009

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Children were left bruised and in tears as they tried to deliver a petition to Glasgow city councillors to save their school from closure. Around 40 parents and kids from Victoria School in Govanhill had arranged to deliver their petition to Councillor Jonathan Findlay, but when they arrived at the City Chambers they were told he was not available. Council officials then refused to allow the delegation inside the building so around 15 parents and children entered via a door for disabled entry. 

Kerry O'Neill, Joanne Smith and Georgia Burns inside the City Chambers

Kerry O'Neill, Joanne Smith and Georgia Burns inside the City Chambers

According to parents, an official then slammed that door shut, injuring and frightening some of the children in the process. Joanne Smith’s son Steven, 4, got a black eye in the fracas. Joanne said: ‘This is no way to treat children.’ Joanne added later: ‘They were too heavy handed, they treated a group of children as if they were aggressive adults. The door hit my son in the face and bruised his eye. When I complained to the council official he just said ‘You should look after your children’, which I found very offensive.’ Georgia Burns, 9, was extremely shaken by the incident, and was comforted by big sister Gemma, 16.

Steven Smith, 4, shows the black eye he received

Steven Smith, 4, shows the black eye he received

The group had earlier delivered a batch of consultation responses in person to Margaret Doran, Director of Children and Families, who is leading the council’s plans to close 22 schools and nurseries across the city. Victoria School and Nursery have been slated for closure by the Council, with parents given the option of sending their kids to Cuthbertson Primary or Annette Street school. The 67 nursery pupils will go to Govanhill Nursery if the school closes.
Margaret Doran meets pupils from Victoria Primary and Nursery

Margaret Doran meets pupils from Victoria Primary and Nursery

A council spokesman said; ‘We accepted a consultation response at our Education offices earlier and advised the protesters to hand in their petition there at the same time. However, they insisted on delivering it to the City Chambers and were met there by an official who offered to sign for it. They refused to hand it over and instead used a disabled access to come into the building. A large number came in through this door, which closes automatically, at the same time. They then gathered in the Chambers where a councillor (Euan McLeod) came to accept the petition a short time later.’
Georgia Burns, 8, is comforted by big sister Gemma

Georgia Burns, 8, is comforted by big sister Gemma

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Written by Martin Graham · Filed Under Features, Glasgow South, Top Stories 


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