Ed Balls urged to visit decaying schools

CONCERNED MP Ian Cawsey has reissued an invitation for Education Secretary Ed Balls to see the shocking state of ageing and decaying classrooms in North Lincolnshire.

Mr Cawsey had raised his concerns over the need to improve ageing facilities at schools with Mr Balls at the Labour Party conference in Brighton in October.

As reported in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, teachers reported some mobile classrooms in North Lincolnshire were so old, cold and leaking that it made it unsafe for children to learn in.

And Mr Cawsey was confident of a positive outcome over classroom improvements.

But this week, concerns are growing from parents of struggling Messingham Primary School who have drawn up petition to warn North Lincolnshire Council this is their "last chance" to save the education of a generation of children.

These parents are calling for the merger, delayed over traffic concerns, to go-ahead in order to put an end to students being taught in temporary wooden huts riddled with rot.

Speaking about the progress of Brigg and Goole MP, Ian Cawsey's invitation to Ed Balls, Mr Cawsey said: "I spoke to the Secretary of State, Ed Balls and said he was happy to meet to discuss any assistance and advice that his department could give to North Lincolnshire Council as they seek to replace old and out of date temporary classrooms.

"Since then the Council has announced another replacement, this time at the Burringham and Gunness School which I know was much appreciated there.

"It would be great if Ed could actually come to North Lincolnshire to see things at first hand though if it speeds things up we may have to go to him."

The Government revealed in June that it has brought forward a £939-million in school capital funding to 121 local authorities from 2010/11 to 2009/10.

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