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Currie and Balerno News 354

1 March 2010

This month, I was invited to Balerno High School to speak with the S6 modern studies students. People sometimes say standards in education have dropped but that's just not true. My experience at Balerno and in other schools I've visited is of very confident, articulate and self assured young people. I was impressed by the range and robustness of their questions covering big issues we face today – Afghanistan and Iraq and withdrawal of troops, the importance of public sector spending, drug abuse! And I was encouraged by the way the students put their case and argued it through. This will stand them in good stead for whatever path they decide to take in future. I enjoy visiting schools - we should be proud of what we do there and what is achieved.

Many parents in Currie, Balerno and Juniper Green have contacted me about the Council's proposed withdrawal of funding from Currie Youth and Community Centre. The modest annual grant of £5480 is the only funding the Centre receives and is used for essential maintenance.

The Centre has provided a base for the community for many years and the football school, basketball and gymnastic clubs are all popular. This is largely due to the commitment and support of the many people who give their time voluntarily to run and coach the clubs and serve on the management committee.

Currie Youth and Community Centre is one of the few venues available to young people in this part of Edinburgh and it's disappointing that the Council would consider cuts given the Centre's focus on providing clubs and facilities for young people and the Council's commitment to continue with support, particularly sporting activity, for young people.