GIVING Aeron Valley communities the chance to have a say on the future of schools in the area is the right decision, according to Cymdeithas yr Iaith.

Ceredigion Cabinet members have been asked by councillors on the learning communities scrutiny committee to abandon making a decision on the future of schools at Cilcennin, Ciliau Aeron, Dihewyd and Felinfach until talks are held with representatives from the schools and communities.

Committee members insisted there is not enough information to make a full decision yet.

That has been backed by Cymdeithas, with Toni Schiavone, of the organisation’s education group saying that with councillors on the scrutiny committee unable to agree a decision on the available information, it is only right to get more details­.

He said: “We are glad that the committee did not rush to a decision without talking with the very people that any decision would affect.

“There was considerable disagreement among committee members and deciding on the future of schools is not something to be taken lightly.

“We encourage everyone in the relevant communities to voice their opinions and offer additional ideas, they know their area best.

“Instead of threatening four schools, we hope that the Cabinet will listen to local opinion instead of following the same predictable negative route again.

“We would like to see an Aeron Valley Federation, that would combine the secondary school with the primary schools in the town and the four rural schools in the valley.

“The site in Felinfach could be developed and become a cultural centre for all schools in Ceredigion, counteracting recent trends to make the curriculum more restricted.”

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