Robot rot
According to the Scotsman (11 September), the Head of Wellington College believes that in ten years’ time machines will be the “inspirational teachers of the future” and will reduce teachers to the level of classroom assistants. Heaven help our future if the thinking of other top educationalists is as limited as that.
Machines and IT can certainly play an increasing role in our schools, but surely real education depends on how good the interaction is between teacher and pupil, using subjects as the medium through which pupils not only learn how to think but also develop as rounded human beings with a purpose in life. I am sure we all remember teachers who have greatly influenced our lives, even after we have forgotten all the information they imparted.
Facts and information are important, but we must never allow education to become only the learning of these.
HENRY L PHILIP Grange Loan, Edinburgh
I’m writing to endorse the comments made by D Mitchell regarding education (Letters 12 September). Recently, writing in the EIS journal, the general secretary, Larry Flanagan, made a similar comment about the excellent things which are happening in our educational establishments and said it was time more teachers spoke out about them.
In our own college, we offer a high level of pastoral care to our students, many of whom are having to work against a background of complex personal issues. The work is hard and the required level of staff commitment is high, but to witness the joy of accomplishment seen at our award ceremony brings its own compensation. Speaking as a teacher with a similar length of service as Mr Mitchell, I hope this is a start, but my fear is that many teachers are fed up with the constant and often unbalanced criticism.
Opponents of any given political party or government are an essential part of our democracy, as are opposition parties with their own political agendas. However, Mr Mitchell has hit the nail on the head when he says that much of the criticism is ill-informed and unhelpful to the morale of people working in our public services. As far as education goes, it does make you pine for the days when newspapers had dedicated education correspondents.
GILL TURNER Derby Street, Edinburgh