A council will next week consider a controversial plan to close 11 island schools over the next six years.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) will look at the closure next year of Craigston Primary, Barra; Staoinebrig School, South Uist; Cliasmol School, Harris and Bragar School in Lewis.
At a meeting on Monday it will also consider plans to close the islands' seven junior secondary schools, which allow pupils to attend a local school for the first two years of secondary education.
The closures would begin with Bayble High School in Point, Lewis, and Daliburgh High School in South Uist, next year, with Sgoil nan Loch in Lewis and Paible High School in North Uist closing the following year. By 2013 the junior secondaries at Shawbost, Lionel and Back, all on Lewis, would also close.
A council spokesman said: "All we are discussing on Monday is whether to go out and conduct a public consultation on these proposals."
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