South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has demanded answers from Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, after the it was announced that bids by Dumfries and Galloway Council for funding towards the refurbishment of Dumfries Academy, and the relocation of Loreburn Primary School to Minerva Hall, were rejected.

After years of delays, the Scottish Government recently announced the successful schools who will share up to £500 million of funding, as part of the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).

No schools in the whole of the South Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway, were awarded a share, which means the council will need to fully fund any work at Dumfries Academy, including the relocation of Loreburn Primary, on top of their recent commitment to fund the majority of the new Dumfries High School.

Speaking during a question session in the Scottish Parliament last week, Colin Smyth asked the Scottish Government “what funding it is providing through the next phase of the learning state investment programme for schools in the South Scotland region”.

The local MSP continued: “The short answer is that there is nothing—not a penny—for a single school in South Scotland.

“It was bad enough that projects were delayed and costs rose because of the dithering of the cabinet secretary in making a decision on funding, but now every project in the region has been rejected.

“What message does the cabinet secretary have for parents at schools such as Dumfries academy, which is classed as condition B and C, which are not worthy of funding, when schools that have been classed as condition A have had funding?”

Speaking afterwards, Colin Smyth continued: “It beggars belief that centuries old, crumbling buildings, which parents have labelled as rat infested, are regarded as fit for purpose by Scottish Ministers and not worthy of a penny of support.

“It means no new school builds or refurbishments are taking place locally with funding from the Scottish Government.

“Once again Dumfries and Galloway is the forgotten region and this is completely unacceptable.”

The local MSP has urged Dumfries and Galloway Council to give a clear commitment that they will now fully fund the project without any changes.

Colin Smyth added: “There was always a risk the council wouldn’t receive any funding from the Scottish Government for the Academy and it is deeply disappointing that they don’t seem to have a plan b.

“The council has made very clear commitments to pupils, parents and staff that they will deliver the Learning Town Project.

“It has already been scaled back but if the council fail to fully fund the refurbishment of the Academy, they will be as guilty of a betrayal of the community as the Scottish Government have been.

“The Council Leader should make it absolutely clear that there will be no compromises and the refurbishment will be delivered in the current planned timescale.”