Child Safety Reassurances

Parents have been given a reassurance by education officers in Fife that pupil safety will not be compromised on election day.

The majority of primary schools will remain open on May 7th whilst also doubling up as polling stations. The move has prompted concern among many parents.

Education Spokesman Cllr. Bryan Poole said each school had individual arrangements, tailored to the lay out of the particular building, to ensure voters and children were kept separate.

He said: “From the outset the prime consideration was “Can we keep our children safe if we keep schools open on polling day? “, and the answer was yes! We have already trialled this in a number of primary schools at recent by-elections and the feedback from the schools has been positive. Some issues were raised which we have ironed out and the recent by-elections in Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes saw 8 primary schools play a dual role on polling day. This meant 1,800 pupils did not miss out on their education that day.

“Schools which have taken part have reported that for pupils the experience has been very positive. Teachers have reported that pupils, being naturally inquisitive, were asking more questions around the question of democracy and that is surely a good thing.”

Fife Council says last year an increased number of by-elections, the European election and the Independence Referendum meant that some schools were closed several times as the buildings were used as polling stations. 

Hazel Freeland, Headteacher at Newcastle Primary School, said: “We’re delighted that our school will be open as normal as it was during the recent by-election. It’s great news for pupils and parents – pupils won’t miss any classes and parents won’t have to worry about finding alternative childcare for the day. It also means that any pupils entitled to a free school meal will still get their lunch.

”We have spoken to parent representatives and staff and to our pupils to get their feedback on the school staying open during polling day and the majority of comments have been very positive. This has given our children an insight into how democracy works in our country and has really sparked their interest.

“At the last by-election, when the school was open as usual, extra council staff were on hand to help direct voters and to make sure there were no issues. It all went very smoothly.”