Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-Proposals by the Scottish Government to ensure all primary school pupils are to be taught at least two modern languages, in addition to their own, are welcome news.
The European Council’s Barcelona Agreement calls for the teaching of at least two foreign languages from an early age.
Such a move is vital in order to ensure we enhance our ability as a nation to compete in international markets, and take full advantage of a global economy which relies heavily on having the right language skills.
This ability not only serves to build and develop strong commercial relationships between businesses in this country and overseas, but also serves to open up previously untapped markets Scottish businesses can take full advantage of.
Language skills can play as pivotal a role as any other skills in providing a workforce with the necessary skills to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy.
No one owes Scotland a living.
We wish the soon to be established working group well as it looks at the practicalities involved.
Jacqui Hepburn.Director Alliance of Sector Skills Councils.28 Castle Street,Edinburgh.
Pine martens go for the reds
Sir,-If ever I feel my circulation getting sluggish, I read Jim Crumley’s articles because, as someone who has been involved with forests and conservation in this country and overseas for more than 50 years, I recognise someone in the “don’t confuse me with facts, I have made up my mind” category.
At times it has almost driven me to be an ex-reader of The Courier.
His comments about the pine marten being the scourge of the grey squirrel, however, force me to respond.
Pine martens are a major predator of red squirrels, with the conservation of which I am actively involved.
If Mr Crumley cares to talk to Speyside residents, he will also discover, coincidentally, that the rise in pine marten populations has coincided with declining numbers of capercaillie.
It is all about making value judgments, something about which we, as humans, should think about more carefully.
Len Yull.Glenfarg,Perth.
Healthy lifestyle is what counts
Sir,-People will have been interested at the intended payments for smokers from “deprived” areas to quit smoking.
Deprived areas? Cigarettes are £6-plus a packet.
Many would argue people should be responsible for their own health.
What next? Payments for drinkers to stop drinking? Payments for the obese to cut down on their food?
As a driver, may I suggest the powers-that-be make payments to drivers who cut down on their driving?
This would benefit drivers’ health. At the same time, omissions would be reduced thus helping the ozone layer.
I am sure many drivers would sign up.
Jim Strachan.Montrose.
Charity bags are over the top
Sir,-A. Buntin of Monifieth (August 16) is not alone in finding his letterbox clogged with charity bags.
Here in St Andrews the flow of bags through the door is unceasing.
Last summer a man attempted to push yet another bag through my letterbox despite there already being two, empty, on the doorstep awaiting removal.
He must have imagined that I disapproved of the two other charities, but liked his one.
With difficulty, I persuaded him not to leave yet another bag.
Fife is proud of how much waste it recycles, but if these bags keep being delivered and are not collected, what else can we do but put them in the bin?
If we have goods to give to charity it is not hard to find a shop in the town where we can hand them in.
J. J. Wilson.2 Lindsay Gardens,St Andrews.
Lower budget will not help exams
Sir,-So Dundee’s education director wants better exam results. Commendable.
But how does this chime with the council deciding to axe £4 million from the education budget, trialling a controversial city campus, slashing the number of hugely supportive guidance teachers and axing several promoted posts?
John McIntosh.354 Blackness Road,Dundee.
Helping victims of meningitis
Sir,-It isn’t long until the streets of Edinburgh become alive with runners, as the Great Edinburgh Run is nearly upon us in October.
We are asking for those people already lucky enough to have their own place and those who are yet to sign up, to join our team and run for us, in either the 10k or 5k race.
We are the only organisation in the UK that is focused on supporting people after meningitis.
With over 40,000 people in Scotland who have had meningitis, and nearly 750 cases each year, we really do need your help.
We support thousands of people who have had to go through the trauma of this illness.
As we do not receive any government funding, we can only support those people through donations.
Sponsored runners will make a huge difference to the thousands who need us.
The atmosphere around the course is amazing and all of our runners can look forward to encouragement from the Meningitis Trust cheering team. If you would like more information, or to sign up, please contact me on 0845 120 4885.
Joanna Stevenson.Community Development Officer Scotland,Meningitis Trust.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.