Evening classes saved

The herald

Evening and weekend classes at Glasgow University appear to have been saved after a public outcry over plans to axe them. The university has now recommended keeping open its Department of Adult and Continuing Education. However, the unit will have to pay its way and a grant it previously received will be phased out over the next few years, meaning the public is likely to face higher charges for some courses, while others could be scrapped.

Cosla slams strike threat

The Scotsman

Council bosses have hit back at moves by teaching unions to take industrial action in protest at changes to their pay and working conditions. Council umbrella body Cosla accused the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association of threatening to “disrupt children’s education” because of disagreement with other teaching unions. Cosla also said teachers had “enjoyed good increases in pay over the last three years”.

Push for safety online

Press and Journal

A scheme to help keep youngsters safe has, for the first time, included internet safety because of the ever-increasing number of children going online. The introduction of an internet safety workshop, targeted at Primary 7 pupils from Inverness and the Black Isle, has featured at the Safe Highlanders event, which is run by Highland Council.

Fears for music degree

The Times

Plans to close Scotland’s only degree in applied music would undermine the teaching of performing arts in higher education, experts have warned. Strathclyde University has signalled it may end a course that has produced numerous successful musicians and attracts 30 undergraduates every year. The department offers the only modules in jazz at degree level run by a Scottish university, and its big band is recognised as one of the most accomplished in Britain.

Fewer walk to school

The herald

The number of children walking to school is steadily declining, despite Scottish Government attempts to promote activity, new figures show. A survey by transport charity Sustrans found that in 2010, 45.8 per cent of schoolchildren walked to school, a drop of 1.2 per cent from 2009 and 2.5 per cent fewer than the year before. Between 1989 and 1991, as many as 62 per cent of pupils travelled to school on foot.