ONLY half of pupils at a Gwynedd school were present on the first day of term due to parents’ fears of an unsafe building.
Just 37 out of 75 arrived at Ysgol Y Groeslon, a week after two classrooms were shut when a structural fault was found by Gwynedd Council inspectors.
Pupils had been forced to begin the school year in the hall, while temporary classroom units were being prepared.
Heulwen Jones-Griffith, whose daughter Swyn did not attend the first day, said: ”They’re just playing politics with Ysgol y Groeslon, and we’ve had enough now. I know some families have moved away from the area because of the deterioration of the building.”
“We’re drawing up a list of things we want to see the council do straight away, like we want to see a roof put up between the cabins and the building.
“I didn’t take Swyn in today, but in support of the teachers and caretaker headteacher, who work hard every day, she will be going tomorrow.”
With the planning and construction of a new £4.8million school still on the backburner, councillors are eager to see a quick solution to the problem.
Gwynedd council’s education cabinet member, Cllr Sian Gwenllian, said: “I greatly sympathise with the children, parents and staff who will have to put up with this situation.
While we are putting temporary arrangements in place to respond to the short term situation, I am also eager to plan ahead for the future.
“The problems at Ysgol Y Groeslon mean that the creation of a brand new area school with the best possible facilities for pupils and staff is a very high priority for me.”
Cllr Eric Jones, for Y Groeslon, said: “This matter should have been discussed by the council years ago.
“It’s shameful that they’ve let it get this bad.
“It’s just ridiculous that these pupils have had to go through education in a building that simply isn’t up to scratch.”