MONMOUTHSHIRE'S schools have the highest debt in Wales, with figures expected to soar in 2011/2012.

Last year, figures showed council run schools in Monmouthshire racked up the highest deficit budgets in Wales, plunging over £1 million in the red.

Topping the list of schools with the highest deficit, Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School racked up a £68,072 deficit with Abergavenny's Deri View Primary running a close second at £66,034.

Chepstow Comprehensive topped the list of secondary schools sinking £64,881 into the red with Monmouth Comprehensive plunging £37,337 into deficit. Both Abergavenny's King Henry and Caldicot Comprehensives finished the year with surplus budgets. King Henry Comprehensive had a surplus of £19,249 and Caldicot Comprehensive, £2,392.

However, it is anticipated by council officers this year's figures will see Caldicot plunge into the red after the school failed to secure an insurance policy to protect its finances against staff absences and sickness.

Children and Young Person's select committee member, Cllr Armand Watts, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for Monmouthshire to have the highest number of schools in deficit in Wales and yet again we are anticipating a further increase.

"We hear time and time again children and schools are a top priority for MCC and this is clearly not the case. Some of these school buildings are not fit for purpose and I call on the cabinet member to explain this appalling financial crisis."

Cabinet member for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, Liz Hacket-Pain was unavailable for comment but 'Paul Matthews offered the following response: "We encourage schools to take a multi-year approach to managing their finances so that considered decisions are able to be taken by Governing Bodies and we provide support to schools when they need it."

Commenting on Caldicot Comprehensive's failure to take out insurance to protect its finances, he said: "Individual schools make decisions about whether or not to adopt the council's insurance policy on sickness absence knowing that there will be some years where they gain and some years where they lose if they choose not to take up the policy."