Leader comment: We must make sure schools are safe

The dossier of safety scares recorded in city schools over the last two years will rightly concern parents across the city.

While the majority of the incidents which are revealed today appear minor in nature, there are some more serious incidents involving injury to staff and pupils.

Now it’s important to stress we are never going to remove all risk from every public building, especially when many have been standing since the Victorian age. But that surely makes it even more important that regular checks and maintenance are as strict as possible.

When it comes to newer schools, failings in buildings are completely inexcusable.

The tragic death of Keane Wallis-Bennett in a wall collapse brought the issue sharply into focus in 2014. In the last two years, her school, Liberton High, has recorded another three incidents, including a heavy ceiling tile narrowly missing a pupil.

We understand council resources are stretched, but we simply must ensure the safety of school pupils and staff. Today’s report will again lead to renewed calls for investment.

Reports of windows and doors falling in are not just embarrassing, they are a potential tragedy waiting to happen.