Scottish tidies in Schools

[rich47]

The Scottish Government wants to introduce a course of Scottish Studies
in schools.
This would include Scottish history, literature, culture and so forth.
Labour opposition politicians claim that this amounts to "brainwashing" to a
SNP agenda.
When ever was education about one's country's history brainwashing.
What are these Labour losers worried about?
Perhaps the "parcel of rogues" who sold Scotland out those many years ago
have reincarnated.

[rich47]

oops!! ... the title should have read Scottish Studies in Schools ..but I am angry and it is late.

[DTCwordfan]

ref the Labour policy for learning history in English schools, i.e. "forgetting" our rich heritage.....what a fine example they offer.

[Buenchico]

On a more general point, as a former teacher I note how often politicians (and many others) are frequently keen to say what should be ADDED to the school curriculum but they rarely suggest what the new material should REPLACE. There are only a fixed number of hours in the school week (and only a limited number of staff in each school with the expertise to teach a new area of the curriculum).

I have no objection, per se, to 'Scottish Studies' being taught in Scottish schools. However, if it is to be introduced as a specific timetabled subject, who is to teach it? Should it be the English department (so that the influences of Burns can be more thoroughly studied), or the Art department (so that the Spook School or the Glasgow Boys can come to the fore), or the History Department (so that the Battle of Bannockburn is given greater importance)? However it's done, it would end up with 'non-specialists' teaching the subject.

It would seem more logical to (if necessary) to adjust the current curriculum taught by English, Art and History teachers, in order to give greater emphasis to Scots history and culture. That would help Scottish pupils to learn about their country's heritage, without needing to find a new slot in the timetable (at the expense of another subject) and while still ensuring that they're taught by specialists in the relevant fields.

Chris

[rich47]

Hi Buenchico,
You make some good points but I would maintain that every Scottish teacher
should be a specialist in this particular subject.
It is not a sideline .. it is their essence.

[tara20]

I'm surprised this is supposed to be something new. When I was at school (mind you , a long time ago in the sixties) Scottish 'studies' was normally intergrated in the subjects Chris mentioned. Just a newfangled name for an oldfashioned system.

[tara20]

even integrated - it's late ☺

[rich47]

I am surprised tara that more people are interested in Big Brother than in
Schools curriculae.
Do you think they know the origin of the phrase "big brother"?

[owdhamer]

Excuse my english ignorance but could you define "tidies"

[rich47]

Hi owdhamer,
I think I apologised for the typo earlier.
I meant studies.
I am still angry and it is even later.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply, Rich47.

However it seems to assume that everyone teaching in Scotland should be Scottish. (The words 'insular' or even 'xenophobic' come to mind!).

Most head teachers would, ideally, want their French teacher to have been born in Bordeaux rather than in Bearsden. They'd prefer to have Mathematics taught by a graduate of one of the world's top universities for the subject (such as New Delhi) rather than by a 'local'. Scottish schools should celebrate the heritage of their country but, equally, they shouldn't try to pretend that they can divorce themselves from the rest of the world.

[tara20]

I can't understand the fascination of watching z-listers make fools of themselves for - what?
Luckily where I am it stopped years ago:-)

[askyourgran]

I agree rich, ones history should be part of growing up giving the pupils a sense of being. How can you brainwash your own people by teaching them about their own country's cultural heritage? Labour claptrap again. All to often subjects are being sidelined. Here in England religion is watered down because of the influx of immigrants. I'm not sure but I think our English schools don't have a Religious Instruction class an more.

[tara20]

I went to a Scottish school so no surprise there.

[rich47]

Hi again Buenchico,
I said every Scottish teacher...that means every teacher in Scotland, it has no ethnic connotation.
Scotland has populated the world ...it does not seek to isolate or "divorce" itself from it.
Xenophobia is a very English word.

[rich47]

Hi tara,
So in what sensible place are you?
Perhaps some of these big brother fans should visit and get sensible.
You were obviously very well educated.

[tara20]

I'm in beautiful Vienna and it's 1 o'clock in the morning and humid, so I wish you eine gute Nacht, rich ☺

[rich47]

Same to you tara, ..... wish I was there.
Goodnight.

[Buenchico]

>>>"Xenophobia is a very English word"<<<

And there was me thinking that it was Greek!

[mike11111]

I was going to say that.^

[Messi_Ten]

It's Salmond playing the "independence" card again. Is he trying to fill their minds with a "Little Scotland" mentality?