CONTROVERSIAL decisions on the closure of rural schools could be handed over to an independent body under plans being considered by the Scottish Government.

The move comes after a series rows over the current system, where ministers are responsible for reviewing unpopular closure decisions by councils.

A stand-alone appeal process is one option being considered by Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, who is due to make a parliamentary statement on rural schools today.

Last month, Mr Russell was accused of political bias after losing a protracted legal battle to keep a number of schools in the Western Isles open.

The defeat sparked claims by Scottish Labour that Mr Russell had pursued the case only to shore up support for Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan in the run-up to the last Holyrood election, when parent protests became a key issue. However, Mr Russell has also been under attack in the past from parents' groups for failing to overturn school closures once they have been called in.

It is understood the Scottish Government is now of the view an independent call-in process at arms length from Government would provide greater clarity for rural communities.

However, any such move is likely to be resisted by Cosla, the umbrella organisation for councils, who want to scrap the call-in process altogether.

Local authorities believe democratically-elected councillors and officials with local knowledge are in the best position to make decisions on school closures.

Mr Russell will also address how important the quality of alternative education is when a school is being shut.

Councils have to prove an educational benefit to pupils from closing their school and moving them elsewhere.However, a recommendation from the Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education suggested closures should only have a "neutral impact" on education.

Cosla is in favour of this recommendation because it makes it easier to advance financial arguments for school closures.

Liz Smith, education spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives, said she would welcome a move towards an independent appeals process.

"Far too often, in the existing system, public trust has been undermined and we have ended up with the focus being on a battle between ministers and local authorities," she said.

Sandy Longmuir, chairman of the Scottish Rural Schools Network, said a move towards an independent process would also be welcomed by campaigners.

"If councils operate within the law and supply accurate information they have nothing to fear from any transparent appeals process," he said.