Why are we no longer top of the class?
SCOTLAND’S schools have recorded their worst ever performance in an international survey of pupils. We asked our Email Jury what could be done to improve our education system and if kids are under too little – or too much – pressure?
Why not teach pupils to read, write and count as was done in the ’50s and ’60s? It gave us a good grounding. There’s too much reliance on electronics to get children using their brains. James Plenderleith, Edinburgh.
Education should be about bringing out the best in everybody, not in “teaching to the test” as we see too often these days. We need people in the modern world who are able to think for themselves. Stephen Calder, Peterhead.
Yes, children do have it too easy and they don’t know the meaning of pressure. Go back to the education system we had years ago which was the envy of the world. Bob Duncan, Carnoustie.
When a primary school child is expected to achieve such a high standard, it makes me wonder when these children have time to be a child. There is too much pressure too soon. Lorna Smith, North Yorkshire.
We have to employ more teachers and make class sizes smaller. I feel that because of the amount of pupils in classrooms the teachers cannot do their job properly. Joseph Clancy, Glasgow.
Scottish education was always regarded as far superior to the English 30 years ago. Why has it slipped since then? Personally, I abhor the demise in spelling and basic grammar. Elizabeth O’Regan, Lincoln.
We need to change our attitude to academic success. The adulation given to those who excel in sport is over the top. Liz Kelly, Glasgow.
The SNP needs to listen to the
teachers and education department and let them take charge. This Government has badly let our children down. Margaret Brown, Rutherglen.
First step should be to give back control of the classroom to teachers. Better teachers – and more of them – is also essential. James Strachan, Aberdeenshire.
Why not copy the Scandinavian model? In places like Finland there is less pressure and no exams. They are always near the top of league tables. Frank Jamieson, Hamilton.