Positive development

There has been a fair bit of controversy over a walk-out by secondary students at a number of Argyll and Bute schools last week, including Oban High.

The pupils were protesting about Argyll and Bute Council’s budget cuts, which were threatening to target youth and adult services, among a range of other cost saving ideas. Youth and adults services were earmarked to lose some 17 full-time equivalent positions in a bid to save £330,000.

I heard some people condemning the youngsters for skiving and using the ‘strike’ to dodge classes. And that is a valid point in some cases, no doubt.

However, looking at the bigger picture, I think it is brilliant to see our youth engaging in politics.

Teenagers regularly are given a bad press and are often treated as if they pose some kind of threat to society. And they are frequently pilloried for a lack of involvement in current affairs.

So I tip my tile to those youngsters for their awareness of the issues and willingness to become involved. Seeing the pupils with banners and placards in the school grounds is, for me at least, a very positive development.

At a time of great uncertainty, it is great news that our young people are trying to engage with the political process. More power to them.