THE destiny of three York schools has been up in the air for two long years.

When radical plans to close Lowfield, create a new Oaklands and rebuild an extended Manor School were first announced, the future of more than 2,000 pupils, their parents and teaching staff was thrown into doubt.

City of York Council's proposals sparked a mixture of approval, anger and apprehension. Thousands of households were consulted about the plans, and unhappy parents expressed their concerns at meetings with councillors and officers.

Then everything came to a shuddering halt. The shake-up could not proceed without Government funds.

This has created an unhappy state of limbo, with everyone involved in the three schools wrapped in a morale-sapping sense of uncertainty.

Finally ministers are about to make their decision. If they are to honour the famous Prime Ministerial promise about putting "education, education, education" first, they should back the council's reforms.

Some parents and pupils will be disappointed to see Lowfield go, but its fate has been sealed by demographics. Falling birth rates will exacerbate a diminishing demand for its services.

Multi-million pound investments would create two bigger schools with the sort of facilities demanded by modern education. But the potential to significantly improve the education of children in the west of York can only be realised if the Government subscribes to the council's bold vision.

It is time ministers ended the years of doubt and kick-started a new era for city schooling.

Updated: 10:27 Wednesday, October 12, 2005