Sir, – At last the education secretary has succumbed to overwhelming pressure from worried parents to make a U-turn and has shelved plans for a “blended learning” return to the classrooms, a move endorsed by the first minister herself.
As a defence he postulates that the Covid outlook now looks “more positive” than when he produced his blueprint in May; a mere month ago.
That said, surely he must now take a long hard look at the disclaimed Curriculum for Excellence, which looks impressive on paper but which has failed miserably in direction and action since its inception.
Mr Swinney should come up with a more simple and easily understood alternative by teachers to the greater good of Scotland’s children.
In the absence of that it may well be time to stand aside and make way for someone who can, before our education system is viewed further as less than fit for purpose.
David L Thomson.
24 Laurence Park,
Kinglassie.
Vital to learn nation’s history
Sir, – I was attracted by Janice Smith from Star’s letter, (Not taught Scottish history, Courier, June 19).
She said she will reach her 70th birthday in August and, like the young people of today, was not taught Scottish history during her, I presume, 1960s education.
I turned 65 in May and attended Kirkland High School in Fife in the late sixties and early seventies.
Unlike your reader, I had a marvellous history teacher, Mr Dallas, who taught us the history of the Scottish people from earliest times to a more modern era. We heard of the Serfs, the Picts with their brochs, the Highland Clearances and, of course, Robert the Bruce.
Mr Dallas had a love of photography and to my delight took local pictures of places like Falkland village with its Palace, Culross village and its interesting buildings and streets. and Fife Folk Museum at Ceres, to name but a few.
He was able to teach us the historic significance of these places in Fife.
Therefore, I am indebted to my history teacher all these decades ago for teaching us about the history of our Scottish nation.
I think it is essential for the young people of today to know about the history of their homeland.
Catherine Ross.
18 Nairn Street,
Leven.
Scapegoat when things go wrong
Sir, – In March the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said that 20,000 deaths in the UK would be a good outcome from the coronavirus crisis and people were horrified.
We are now up to 43,000 deaths, a total rising by 1,200 deaths every week, and now just under 1,000 new cases per day, which is not much different from what it was when we entered lockdown back in March.
Our prime minister has now reduced the safe distance in England from two metres to one, which experts tell us increases the risk of spread tenfold, and announced that pubs, restaurants, cinemas etcetera would be able to open, despite expert advice that the risk of spread is about 20 times higher indoors than out.
Poor Sir Patrick hopped about, umming and ahhing, aware that, when this goes wrong, as it almost certainly will, it will be he who will be flung in front of the proverbial bus by a prime minister flailing about for a scapegoat to sacrifice for the greater good.
Les Mackay.
Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Near misses with cyclists
Sir, – With more and more cyclists using our highways and byways can I please appeal to those who cycle to wear brighter clothing?
I would suggest wearing reflective items of clothing, making cyclists safer and easily seen would be a godsend.
If it were made a legal requirement it would benefit not only those on two wheels but motorists too.
We have often had a near miss with cyclists wearing dark clothing. Stay safe!
Elspeth Munro.
Keay Street,
Blairgowrie.
Right man to lead the Kirk
Sir, – I was very interested to read the article (Virus that shook Kirk to its core as it moved on ‘10 years in 10 days’, Courier, June 25) and believe that the Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair is indeed the right man for the job in these strange times of change and uncertainty.
Fair, both by name and judgment, frank in thought, Martin undoubtedly has the foresight and charisma to propel the Kirk in a new direction.
Eddie Wilmott.
294 Ravensby Road,
Carnoustie.
PM has rolled back on pledges
Sir, – It is very hard to avoid the conclusion that Britain is being led by a prime minister who will say anything for his own personal advantage.
He appears to be more and more a stranger to truth and honesty.
In the general election manifesto he pledged that “we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards” and that “in our trade talks … the NHS is not on the table”.
These promises have been broken.
Johnson has refused to accept an amendment to the Trade Bill, proposed by two SNP MPs, and supported by Labour and the Lib Dems, that would protect the NHS from inclusion in any deal with the US.
The government also refused amendments to the Agriculture Bill that would maintain food and animal welfare standards.
The latter means that Britain would be open to importing US chlorinated chicken plus filled milk and hormone saturated beef, amongst other products.
Over a million people have signed a petition, supported by NFU Scotland, to protect food standards.
The Scottish Government would be legally bound by the terms to any trade deal with the US.
The Scottish people did not vote Tory and neither did they vote for Brexit.
Brian Batson.
7 Lour Road,
Forfar.
Hardship for UK households
Sir, – UK Government climate advisers have said that gas boilers should no longer be fitted in new houses by 2025 and in any home by 2035.
Electricity is four times the price of gas so following their advice will only bring hardship and fuel poverty to hundreds of thousands of UK households.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Jim should take Tannadice reins
Sir, – Jim McInally, Dundee United legend and current Peterhead manager, suggests that Tommy Wright, the former manager of St Johnstone, would be the perfect candidate for the Dundee United manager’s job.
My personal choice would be Jim McInally himself.
His footballing credentials are superior to our erstwhile manager, Robbie Neilson, and he is a player who has experienced real success with United.
Some people will point to the fact that he is “just”the manager of lowly Peterhead.
I believe if he can build a team of van drivers and plumbers who can hold their own in their league then he would find managing a team of quality players easier.
Harry Key.
20 Mid Street,
Largoward.
