A standalone Gaelic Medium Education school for Oban is not a viable option, Argyll and Bute Council decided yesterday.
Parents had commissioned a feasibility study which argued in favour of such a school, and asked the council to consider it.
But yesterday the community services committee decided it was too expensive an option, and instead agreed to to change the management structure at Rockfield Primary and appoint a depute head teacher specifically for the school’s Gaelic Medium Unit (GMU).
A spokeswoman said: “A stand-alone Gaelic school would cost in the region of £5.8million to build, not including the purchase of land, and would have an impact on the council’s budgets due to ongoing heating costs, lighting, staff, maintenance etc.”
She added: “The depute head will be based within the unit and will have a greater focus on raising attainment and monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning.
“They will also be responsible for developing partnerships within the wider Gaelic community.
“The committee noted that in the event of a material change in circumstances, officers would bring a further report to committee.”
Claire Wilding, chairwoman of Comann nam Parant an Obain they were disappointed. She added: “On the up side we do see the positives in it. The council in its own report recognises the benefits of having a Gaelic school.
“Finance does seem to be the one thing that’s stopping it from progressing. We would hope they will look into what potentials there are for financing it. We are not giving up.”
