Closing smaller schools in Powys could be the only way forward to help sustain the quality of education in the county, it has been claimed.

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates said that the closure of schools with fewer than 30 pupils was a “sign of the times”. The claim comes after Powys County Council announced earlier this week that it would be looking at closing 11 primary schools which had fewer than 30 pupils.

Schools listed include Castle Caereinion Primary School, near Llanfair Caereinion, and Pontrobert Primary School, near Meifod.

“This is happening throughout Wales,” said Mr Bates.

“We need to start looking at the quality of education that is being provided at smaller schools compared to the bigger schools and take it from there.

“The council is going to have to start making some tough decisions and unfortunately this is a sign of the times at the moment.

“I just hope that Welsh language provision doesn’t get affected along the way.”

Wyn Williams, Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate for Montgomeryshire, said the proposed closures would hit communities.

He said: “The situation in Powys is symptomatic of the reorganisation that we are seeing of schools across the country. Sadly, there has long been a lack of strategic vision about the future of our education system in Wales.

“We hear dangerous speculation and scaremongering by some, which leads to great uncertainty and impacts on the morale of staff, parents and children.

“What we need is a full and honest debate on what our education system needs to achieve.

“The provision of a quality education for all students in Montgomeryshire is the key, without young pupils having to travel long distances from home and we need to build an educational structure that is sustainable and will work for the generations ahead. Parents, children and staff need to be fully informed as to what is going to happen.”

By Anwen Evans