Academic hits out at atheism in schools
THE HERALD
- A leading academic has warned the rise of popular atheism is threatening the place of religion as a legitimate subject of study in Scottish schools. Professor Robert Davis has said there is evidence the views of high-profile atheist authors that religion is akin to “ghost-hunting or astrology” is now taking root in the education system.
Classy dress
THE SUN
- Scotland’s children’s tsar has backed a schoolboy’s bid to let lads wear skirts in class. Luca Scarabello, 13, lodged a petition with the Scottish government in November to end “gender specific” uniforms. Now commissioner for young people Tam Baillie has called for schools to review their clothing policies, saying it “raises some important children’s rights issues”.
Gay `storytelling’ for children aged five
DAILY MAIL
- Children as young as five can take part in a gay and transgender workshop by a taxpayer-funded charity. The Scottish Storytelling Centre - part-owned by the Church of Scotland - wants youngsters to “start thinking” about sexuality as part of a month-long celebration of minority genders. And the event will also tell them about families composed of same-sex parents and “what makes them so special”.
Sirs slurs at No.1 school
SUNDAY MAIL
- Pupils at Scotland’s top state school, Mearns Castle High, are being interviewed after branding some of their teachers “paedophiles” on Facebook. A photograph of one is captioned “gunge that paedo” and a catchphrase from a US show that tracks down sexual predators is used on another. The page also pokes fun at nearby schools. Messages suggest Barrhead High pupils carry Buckfast bottles and have no teeth.
Gaelic dialects dying out as mid-Minch voices take over
THE HERALD
- Gaelic dialects are in danger of dying out, an academic from the University of Edinburgh has warned. Dr William Lamb of the School of Celtic and Scottish Studies believes schools are having a major impact on how Gaelic is spoken and are the main reason for its spreading homogeneity. However, he also acknowledges that they can be the language’s saviour.
