Schools Closure - A Creative Interpretation of The Curriculum for Excellence
Posted: Monday, 08 October 2007 |
Comments
Fear is the key here. Fear of doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, or fear of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. When I went to secondary school on the mainland, I had to travel on 2 buses to get to school, meaning that I had to leave the house at 7:15 am each morning that I went to school. Having primary education very local is a good thing, but I'm not so sure about secondary education, lots of other kids travel distances to and from school, so why should our kids be different? I doubt the quality of education would suffer too much, and may mean that more money can be spent on the NI, which can't be a bad thing. We choose to live on an island, there is good and bad points about island living, and sometimes we have to think of the better good for the WHOLE community. Of course I could be wrong, but that is my humble opinion.
Tws from Out Of School
I agree with Tws. Primary schools should be within easy reach, but by the time children get to secondary stage, they are better going to one well-run big school with all the resources available, than some junior secondary tacked on to a primary and with limited resources.
Flying Cat from edu-cat
Thanks for these comments, although, obviously I disagree with their content, I think we need to have a debate about this as a whole community - not just as parents or others with vested interests - to find a long term answer to the questions of how we address declining populations (in some parts) and reduced resources (and how we use them).
The Peatstack from In The Janny's Shed
I must agree with Tws and Flying Cat. Resources would be better spent on one well run and up to date school with all the facilities it needs instead of trying to share out what little money is available between many small units all ending up under funded
lochs from lochs
I have to say you can't put all the secondary's facing closure in the same bag. Ours although in the same building and not 'tacked' on has had a newly fitted science lab and smart boards throughout. The issue is leaders spending funds well throughout all the islands. If you have a high performing local secondary with all mod cons why would you close it. I am new to this blog so it is only an opinion.
On The Edge from North Uist
I like opinions. Lots of 'em. But was it worth the investment?
Flying Cat from falling rolls
Well for the future of North Uist the investment is certainly worth it. We only have falling rolls for 3 years and then numbers shoot up again. We are in the middle of a baby boom, a real one with loads of babies and toddlers all over North Uist. If we want to keep the young people on our island we need long term planning and investment not short term financial gain and panic from those who decide. People do like well run, high performing schools with modern technology on their own island. We are funny like that on North Uist!?! No I didn't mean funny like THAT... although you all know we are! All joking aside schools should be shut because they are failing the local population not because our elected officials are incompetent and failing our children. All schools and areas are different and can not be treated as one because they are in the Western Isles and it suits the council. It needs to be what is right for the local children and their needs. You might, just, be able to tell that I have a child who may be adversely effected by the proposed school closures... or was I being subtle?!?
Living on the edge from Sollas
I'm glad someone, apart from the socially excluded and damaged are having lots of babies. And in such a lovely place too. Perhaps you could share the secret with Lewis where breeding women are thin on the ground and the men are....well...who knows.
Flying Cat from remembering Murdo John on AnnieB @ the usual
Remind me again: what's the use of edoocashun? # Seriously, you don't need the latest technology to have a good education. Ask Hyper-B.(maybe): all you need are disciplined kids who want to learn and competent teachers. Give me some old fashioned Catholic schools .... (nostalgia is not always a bad thing).
mjc from NM, USA
Slates and chalk: dipping pens and spilled inkwells: lukewarm milk by the radiator: the tawse: ah those were the days...
Flying Cat from newspaper in my boots
Subsequent events and letters from the Government seem to have supported the Comhairle's position. What I want to know is why is our MSP supporting the Government's position rather than trying to get the best deal for the islands?
Murdo from Stornoway
Good question Murdo, I had would have thought the MSP would be straight in making his stand clear to the First Minister, and where and how are the Government supporting the Comhairle? Must have missed that one.
The Peatstack from Training for the next whisky olympics
I m afraid Murdo you must have misunderstood what is coming from the Government. From all the communication I have seen they support rural schools and believe the curriculum for excellence is well suited to the middle secondary schools as it is an idea rather than fixed practical targets and some of our S1 and S2s can meet the curriculum with a bit of help. The Council also can not close schools if there is not another secondary within 10 miles unless there is agreed closure between the parents, Council and Government. I dont know what you have been hearing but as a parent I have yet to get my promised packet of information or meeting with the head of Education at the Council. But those without children can debate party politics and pretend that information backs their side of the story when the bottom line is good schools should not be shut for short term financial gain.
Living on the edge from Murdo
I'm pretty sure we had children once...
Flying Cat from the back of the bus
Sorry about that I think I meant... but I am not sure.... that people who do not have children in the schools under the ax may find it easier to use it as a political football as it does not impact their children or area. But then I probably offended those who have kittens instead of kids by saying this!!???!
Living on the edge from Uist
Local education is worth striving for. With imagination and good will, a handful of gung ho and knowledgeable teachers, small schools even for the later grades should be in the domain of the possible, given properly developed long distance learning (real time classes on the internet). Too much time can be spent commuting to school, and I am not terribly enamored of the idea of residential middle and high schools, whether publicly funded or private. Time enough for the kids to go away, separate from the parents, when they are off to university.
mjc from NM,USA
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