The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Neutrality’ the key word for schools
COURIER COUNTRY councils are taking amixedapproachtopupilinformation provision on the independence referendum, it has emerged.
However, all staff have been urged to act in a politically neutral and unbiased manner in the run-up to the historic vote on September 18.
The subject is a political hot potato and a row has already erupted in A ngus after a sub-group was set up to guide pupils ahead of the indy vote.
The A ngus group was charged with the task of ensuring “political neutrality” in schools, but the only two councillors on the working group were from the SNP.
The Courier asked other local authorities to disclose what steps they have been taking regarding information provision for pupils on the referendum.
Craig Munro, Fife Council’s education and children’s service executive director, said they also organised a working group, but it was made up of teachers and youth workers.
He added: “We expect all teachers to be politically neutral in their discussions with children and we have issued specific advice on a number of occasions associated with the referendum given its topicality and the fact that it will provide many young people with their first opportunity to vote.
“We also incorporate guidance from others, such as the Electoral Commission who are advising on how young people who will be eligible to vote in the referendum can best be provided with the factual information they need.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said information has been sent out to all schools in the run-up to the referendum, reminding them to “maintain political neutrality”.
For the first time — and for this vote only — 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to sign up to the electoral register and make their choice.
A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “A longside the provision of national guidance on political literacy from Education Scotland and A DES (A ssociation of Directors of Education in Scotland), Perth and Kinross Council has also been taking forward a range of actions locally to brief secondary school staff and provide information to pupils who are or will be eligible to vote in the Scottish referendum in September 2014.
“This awareness-raising activity will continue in the run-up to the referendum.”
TheA DES briefing note was also distributed to all Stirling and Clackmannanshire schools along with a set of guidelines and protocols as well as two examples of good practice.
The schools were also put in touch with the local Electoral Registrar’s office, where they could arrange for speakers to attend assemblies.
bet the bookies can predict the outcome The bookies could give as September’s vote. traders/gamblers who wish good a steer as opinion He concluded that such to profit from their trades/ polls when it comes markets often produce bets.” to the outcome of the more accurate results than Latest data for the independence referendum, relying on opinion polls. study for the Future of the according to a leading Professor Bell said: UK and Scotland project academic. “The use of prediction — a programme which
Professor David Bell markets in relation to brings together a range from Stirling University electoral outcomes is of academics looking at looked at using “prediction well-established. Their Scotland’s constitutional markets” — which include accuracy relies on there future — suggests there the gambling industry — being a number of wellis a 70% chance of a No to forecast the outcome of informed, dispassionate vote.