Commentary on Sections General Section 21 – Definitions
65.This section provides definitions of terms used in the Act (or, in some cases, where terms are defined). The term “education authority” has the same meaning as in section 135(1) of the 1980 Act and therefore means the 32 councils in Scotland. “School” means any school managed by an education authority (i.e. what is often called a local authority school) and also, in relation to a proposal of the type mentioned paragraph 10 of schedule 1, includes a local authority managed further education centre. The terms “educational benefits statement”, “proposal paper”, “public meeting” and “consultation report” are to be construed by reference to section 1(3) and (4) of the Act. Section 21(3) provides that expressions undefined in the Act are construed by reference to section 135(1) of the 1980 Act (but only if they are defined in that section and unless the context of this Act requires otherwise).