Moray’s school buildings are the worst in Scotland – because of nearly a decade of neglect.
A senior local authority official admitted yesterday that not enough had been invested in the fabric of the region’s primaries and secondaries.
And the council’s administration refused to remove the spectre of closures to avoid having to spend tens of millions of pounds on repairs.
Of Moray’s 53 schools, 42 have been identified as having “major problems”.
And the chairman of the local authority’s audit and scrutiny committee demanded answers from officials.
Buckie SNP member Gordon McDonald said: “The stark figures demonstrate quite clearly there is something wrong in Moray that has to be explained.
“All of the other regions in Scotland have managed to cope with the same financial pressures we have and sustained their levels over the last five years.
“Have there been actions they have taken, or didn’t take? It’s a stark reminder of the situation that we are in.”
The council’s education officer, Nick Goodchild, said: “I think this has been going on for at least eight years.
“That’s certainly as far back as my memory goes where there have been issues about the school estate flagged up to this council and the resources needed to address the condition issues.
“So it’s been going on for a good number of years.”
The council’s under-pressure resources are now being targeted at preventing emergency closures due to health and safety risks.
Elgin High and East End Primary top the risk list, with the condition of the buildings “seriously impeding” learning.
A further 40 show “major problems, including New Elgin Primary, Milne’s High and Forres Academy.
Uneven floors, outdated wiring and old-fashioned boilers have all contributed to the failings.
Councillor McDonald called for an urgent report about what lessons could be learned from the rest of Scotland about maintaining the buildings, which would cost £57.5million to bring up to scratch.
Fochabers Lhanbryde councillor Sean Morton pointed out the problems were not confined to schools.
He said: “This is not a recent development so how did we get to this point?
“Only 41% of all our buildings are of a satisfactory condition when the national average is 83%. What is causing Moray to lag so far behind?
“When our schools are not in the best condition we should talk about investment in them and not closing them down.”
But council convener Allan Wright insisted shutting classrooms would remain a possibility until the local authority’s finances improved.
He said: “The rationalisation of the school estate, I believe, will continue to come up as we go forward.
“Councillor Morton says he will continue to oppose school closures. That’s fine – but the figures illustrate it may not be possible.”
Work is already ongoing on a £30million replacement for Elgin High, and a new Lossiemouth High has also been approved.
Four refurbishment projects are also underway at primary schools.
Moray Council’s corporate offices were rated as being 80% satisfactory, prompting Mr Morton to ask why they performed so well compared to schools.
Chief executive Roddy Burns explained that more than a dozen dilapidated offices had been closed in Elgin as the local authority concentrated on fewer premises.
