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Scots education no longer envy of the world

Scots education no longer envy of the world

Sir, I read in The Courier all the comments regarding the state of education in this country and about the new Curriculum for Excellence that has been introduced.

When are politicians going to stop interfering in matters in which they appear to have no knowledge?

In fact, when are primary school children going to leave their school to go on to further learning if they have not been taught to read, write, count and spell?

Those were basic skills when I attended school.

We learned everything by heart through repetition, and we did not move on from a lesson until the teacher was satisfied that we knew and understood what we were being taught.

That was in the days when a Scottish education was the envy of the world not a claim that can be made today, unfortunately.

I feel sorry for all those young people and their parents struggling to get to grips with another change in the latest education policy.

June Reid. 12 Findhorn Street, Dundee.

Not addressing these issues

Sir Another thought- provoking article by that terror of the “Yes” campaign, Jenny Hjul (I’m sure she is very nice).

Simply put, we the people in Scotland do not know what the SNP is. A “left of centre party” as described by Kenny MacAskill on a Russia Today programme some months ago or something else?

It cannot be assumed that a post referendum election (if a “yes” vote) would produce an SNP government. A Scottish Labour government? Some sort of mish-mash coalition after weeks of “talks”?

Who/what runs the country in the meantime, during what would be the most vital period of our existence?

With EU membership not assured, who pays the farmers to provide our food? Who provides us with the money to buy the food? Will our public water supply continue uninterrupted, given its dependence on reliable energy provision?

Do we have enough wind turbines and biomass plants since “the green party” will shut down our fossil and nuclear plants given the chance?

These practical, problematic scenarios usually described as “scaremongering” or “project fear” are simply not being addressed.

All will be well, we are told. Aye, right. Vote “no”.

What if the Queen had a choice?

A T Geddie. 68 Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes.

Highlight the other side

Sir, Once more Jenny Hjul treats us to her intemperate thoughts about independence (March 26), this time on the subject of the monarchy; citing the views of individual SNP members and those of other parties associated with the independence side of the debate.

It is curious how Jenny never sees fit to publicise the thoughts of some of those associated with the unionist case or is she worried that the views of the British National Party, UKIP, the Orange Order, Ulster Unionists and Scottish Defence League may not go down too well with your readership?

Henry Malcolm. 331 Clepington Road, Dundee.

Unhelpful bill halted progress

Sir, The R and A acquired Forgan House beside the 18th green of the Old Course in St Andrews and after extensive renovation it was opened with the clear intention that it would soon house a proposed ladies section of the club.

Sadly all progress in that direction was halted by Harriet Harman’s spectacularly unhelpful Equality Bill with its imperious demand for all or nothing which, unsurprisingly, resulted in push-back from the membership.

The great Hannah Arendt wrote in the 1850s: “The right to free association has greater validity than the principle of equality.” In his 1689 “Letter Concerning Toleration” John Locke said much the same thing.

Many of us who had long been in favour of a mixed club were left despondent by this daft piece of legislation but fortunately Wilson Sibbett, the R and A’s general committee chairman, has taken the bull by the horns.

This delightful Irishman is the recently retired St Andrews Physics Professor and with our veteran secretary Peter Dawson should see it through, provided there is no further pretentious interference from the usual political suspects.

Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.

Time to end this saga

Sir, Am I the only reader who is getting sick fed-up with the long running saga re the siting of a new Madras College?

Is it not about time that some heads were banged together and a decision finally made leaving The Courier free to put other interesting news on its pages?

Alan Provan. 19 Park Place, Elie.