ABERDEENSHIRE Council Education Department has come under fire from a controversial councillor over allowing Balmedie Primary School pupils to plant Marram grass on Dunes at Donald Trump's Menie Estate last month.
The story appeared in the Ellon Times on February 4 with the headline, Braving the weather to preserve Menie dunes. The school has reached bronze award level for eco schools - an initiative designed to foster sound environmental stewardship among sch
ool children.
The council has defended the school's decision to pair up with a local business, as is frequently the case with eco-school initiatives.
However, Councillor Martin Ford argues council education chiefs should have recognised a potential conflict of interest and described it as a publicity stunt. Cllr ford says doubt remains as to whether the school had permission from education chiefs. Balmedie school children were pictured with Trump International vice President Sarah Malone planting the grass, but it was the link between Trump International and the school which caused the problem.
Cllr Ford raised concerns at the Education, Learning and Leisure Committee about the appropriateness of the school's involvement but said he was assured that the governing body of Eco Schools was supportive.
Cllr Ford said: "There is concern about a school taking an active part in the stabilisation of the Menie sand sheet. The marram planting that is involved will prevent the continuing movement of the sand - the very process that makes the site special. And the permission to plant is still subject to an unresolved legal challenge from Mrs Molly Forbes.
"I'm sure some of those who were uneasy about the school's involvement were reassured when they read that the planting activity had the support of the governing body of eco-schools. There now appears to be considerable doubt as to the accuracy of that assurance. The Council must clarify this. The Council must not claim the support of other bodies unless it is beyond doubt that it does have that support. I am sure the Director would not knowingly mislead the Education Committee, So we must establish how the difference of understanding arose."
Cllr Ford argues the plantings were in fact ecologically destructive, and believes the council is using children for public relations pur- poses.
The Leader of the Democratic Independent group of councillors on Aberdeenshire Council, Cllr Paul Johnston, has written to the Education Service expressing concerns and seeking assurances.
Meanwhile,Aberdeenshire council stresses it makes decision on eco-school projects are the perogative of the individual school and the council's education department.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "A development of this type offers a number of educational opportunities as it progresses, and the school is pleased to have been given the chance to be involved.
"Recently, pupils were involved in the planting of marram grass at Menie. Outdoor learning activities are encouraged in Aberdeenshire's schools, and the parents of the pupils involved all agreed to their sons and daughters taking part.
"While we appreciate the differences of opinion regarding the wider golf development, it is important to stress that the Education, Learning and Leisure service has no decision-making connection with the project. It is purely the educational opportunities that it presents that may be of interest at certain stages.
"A number of schools across Aberdeenshire have developed links with businesses and facilities in their communities, and these are all brought forward with the best interests of pupils in mind.
"It would be a shame to deny the pupils at Balmedie similar opportunities on this occasion simply because of media interest in the developer."
A spokesman for Keep Scotland Beautiful, which runs the eco-schools Scotland programme said it is not involved in the individual decision made by the school and the council.
"Decisions about the activities of pupils in school are the prerogative of the school and the relevant local authority.The Eco- Schools Scotland programme is part of an international award programme to encourage schools to learn more about their environment and must involve pupils, teachers and the local community.Balmedie Primary School has reached the Bronze Award level, having complied with all the relevant Bronze level award criteria. Future Awards, if
applied for, will be awarded after suitable assessments in line with that for all schools in Scotland."
