Borders parents are going to be faced with an asymmetric school week, whether they want it or not, according to one local councillor.
Kelso councillor Tom Weatherston was speaking at the recent session of Kelso Community Council.
Scottish Borders Council wants to move secondary and primary schools to a four-and-a-half-day week and is now seeking the views of parents.
But Mr Weatherston said it not so much a case of whether people wanted an asymmetric school week.
“I think the object of the exercise is not to ask ‘do you want an asymmetric week’ – we’re going to have an asymmetric week – it’s more a case of asking ‘could you highlight the problems you can see, so we can mitigate those problems’,” he said.
A full report on the proposals is due back to SBC in March.
There had also been some disquiet at the community council that, despite Kelso High School being Cheviot area’s largest secondary, a presentation by education officials was being held at a school in Jedburgh - it took place on Tuesday night.
Kelso provost John Bassett told councillors: “It should’ve been at Kelso as the area’s biggest high school – also there are lots of parents in Kelso against this.
“But I know the headteacher at Kelso is going to have a meeting with parents at the school in February.”
Further meetings are planned for St Margaret’s Primary in Galashiels (January 30), Earlston High (February 4) and Hawick High (February 18).