CLOSURE OF RURAL SCHOOLS

That this House recognises the importance of rural primary schools; notes that primary schools are a vital part of the community in rural areas and that many families rely on them; further recognises that the provision of education cannot be considered in isolation and needs to take the wider rural economy including housing and jobs into account; welcomes the moratorium introduced by the Scottish Government on school closures until a full review had been completed; and urges the Government to protect vital rural services and pay attention to the specific needs of rural communities.