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The Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee recently looked at the safety of the school estate in Scotland, following on from the collapse of the school wall at Oxgangs Primary in 2016 and the subsequent independent inquiry by Professor John Cole.
In its report, the Committee said it heard evidence which raises serious questions about the practices of contractors and sub-contractors that "cut corners resulting in an unacceptable risk to children and the public in general".
In addition, members were surprised to hear that some local authorities had "minimised their responsibilities for the safe design and construction of their schools".
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A total of 17 primary and secondary schools in Edinburgh were closed in 2016 following the collapse of a school wall at Oxgangs Primary.
A report on the incident by industry expert Professor John Cole stated: "The fact that no injuries or fatalities to children resulted from the collapse of the gable wall at Oxgangs School was a matter of timing and luck".
Other key findings included; the collapse of the wall was due to poor construction and inadequate supervision, while there was insufficient independent quality assurance and poor record keeping by the Council and Edinburgh Schools Partnership.
Committee Convener, James Dornan MSP said while members were glad that faults in school walls across Scotland have been identified and fixed, it was "shocking" that some of the buildings Scottish children learn in "have not been safe".
"Professor Cole's report provides a clear path to how we can improve and learn from these past mistakes," he said.
"It is vital that every public body, university and college learn these lessons and ensure that our buildings are safe.
"There needs to be a change in thinking in some local authorities. Responsibility for public safety must be taken seriously and it not something that can be contracted out."
(LM)
