We were amused - but also somewhat concerned - by recent comments in The TES Scotland about the Scotish School Board Association’s alleged “schizophrenic views” regarding the Scottish Executive’s proposals on improving parental involvement in education.
Our initial response, which was included in the Executive’s press release, did not, in fact, give an unconditional welcome to the proposals. On the contrary, we merely said we welcomed the announcement that there was to be a public consultation.
We were in no position to give any endorsement since the proposals had not been seen by our executive board or our parent members.
After the launch of the consultation paper, we released a statement, on behalf of the executive board, in which we focused on the real issues - those of loss of parents’ present rights and teacher - parent partnerships.
We can only hope that, as this exercise develops, the media will focus on the real issues at stake, rather than on the mental well-being of SSBA.
Alan Smith (president) Caroline Vass (vice-president) Scottish School Board Association
