Universities under fire over funds from Libya

The Herald

Two Scottish universities have been criticised after it was revealed they have pocketed at least pound;1.7 million from Colonel Gaddafi’s Libyan regime. Strathclyde and Dundee have both been criticised for accepting student fees paid by the Gaddafi government and Libyan oil companies. But academics defended their right to recruit students from countries run by controversial regimes.

English schools suspend 900 violent pupils a day

The GUardian

School suspensions and exclusions in England have fallen for the sixth year running, but a daily average of 878 children are still taken out of class for abuse or assault on fellow pupils or teachers. Education groups are concerned that the level of violence, which leads to the permanent exclusion of 13 pupils a day, suggests a failure to recognise special needs.

College reviews gamekeeping course after double shooting

Press and Journal

North Highland College in Thurso is reviewing its teaching methods after a Moray shooting tragedy cost the lives of teenage sweethearts. Trainee gamekeeper Calum Murray accidentally shot 16-year-old Sophie Taylor at a remote cottage near Tomintoul in April. He was so distraught that he immediately took his own life by shooting himself.

School pupils bounce in to stars’ keep-fit craze

The Scotsman

l Scots schoolgirls are to be introduced to a new celebrity fitness craze, it was announced yesterday after the activity was hailed by stars including Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox and Shakira. Clackmannanshire Council will be the first local authority in Scotland to offer pupils classes in “Urban Rebounding” - a cardiovascular workout on a mini-trampoline - after the summer holidays.

`Ignored’ youngsters start school not even knowing their name

Daily Mail

Many children begin school without knowing their own first name because their parents barely speak to them at home. Coalition `poverty tsar’ Frank Field has made explosive comments about the tragic effect of poor parenting. The Labour MP’s claims were backed by a number of heads who said some children were not even aware they had a name.