Dunbeg mum condemns use of children’s pictures on TV
A DUNBEG mum has condemned images of local pupils being used by a national broadcaster in a bulletin discussing whether the armed forces are using school visits to recruit.
Susan Simpson wrote to The Oban Times following the TV company’s report, which outlined that 927 military visits were made in Scotland in 2016/2017.
It also revealed that the Ministry of Defence had asked Education Scotland for the deprivation rates in schools for 2015.
A woman from the Scottish Parent Teacher Council was quoted in the item as saying: ‘I think there would be a lot of concern among parents that this is a recruitment drive.’
However, Ms Simpson told The Oban Times: ‘I was so angry and upset when I saw the photographs.
‘Granted, the faces were blanked out but everyone in Oban and the surrounding area will have recognised the uniform, staff and pupils. The photographs are from two years ago and are from an organised visit that all parents knew about.
‘Our school is not, in my opinion, a deprived area school, nor do I believe we are a target for recruitment to the armed forces.’
Royal Marines annually visit Dunbeg and Rockfield primary schools to commemorate former Dunbeg pupil Gordon MacPherson, who was killed on the last day of the Falklands war.
In previous years, the servicemen brought in unloaded guns to show the children, although this was discontinued earlier this year.
‘In their curriculum, our children cover both the First and Second World Wars, and lessons are also held on more recent and ongoing conflicts,’ Ms Simpson added.
‘Therefore they know the reality of war and of what our armed forces face when they go into battle. It does absolutely no harm, in my opinion, for our children to be taught a healthy understanding of the reality of all professions, including the armed services.
‘Our children at Dunbeg are very fortunate to be given so many amazing opportunities to meet and speak to professionals from a variety of workplaces, organisations and agencies. As part of those visits, I, as a parent, would expect the professionals to educate my children on all aspects of their job. Therefore if someone from the armed services attends, I am perfectly comfortable that they will have the capabilities to appropriately show the children the “tools” that they use.’
Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell said: ‘The forces visit to Dunbeg school appears to have been in keeping with previous visits and has a strong local root commemorating, as it did, the service and sacrifice of a local soldier, a former pupil at the school. However, I do understand the concern of some parents and others across the area regarding recruitment activity involving young children and a balance clearly has to be struck to make sure any activity is proportionate, clearly explained and acceptable to the school community as a whole. The council has to be an arbiter of that involvement’
A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: ‘The Marines visited Dunbeg as part of the Curriculum for Excellence and contributed to children’s understanding of teamwork and the importance of fitness. The visit was a success.’