Budgets likely to incur cash penalties
- With a few education authorities still to finalise their budgets for the 1983-84 financial year, seven local education budgets have already reached a spectacular total of #163;44 million above the government’s assessment of what regional councils need to spend on education. Education is therefore a main contributor to total overspending by authorities, which incurs penalties from the secretary of state.
Gaelic report wants parity with Welsh
- The most far-reaching report on the future of the Gaelic language in recent times is published this week. It recommends realistic funding for bilingual education in Gaelic-speaking areas, the establishment of two pilot projects as the basis of a Gaelic youth policy, support for the Gaelic playgroup network, a big new Gaelic festival, and the establishment of a coordinating agency for the Gaelic culture.
Parents appeal against ruling
- An important appeal by the parents of an Aberdeen boy against a sheriff’s decision that an education authority has no obligation to provide schooling for an under-age child is to be heard at Aberdeen sheriff court in March. Mr and Mrs Steven Boyne, of Aberdeen, decided to appeal on behalf of their son, who was four days too young to start primary school last year.
Uncle Sam’s children
- There are now peace camps at the gates of most American bases in this country, but on the other side the American way of education continues undisturbed. For the 8,500 pupils in American military schools, the growing British agitation about issues of defence and deterrence has caused barely a ripple. At the High Wycombe air base, a notice cautions pupils against “adverse behaviour” towards protesters. “Remember: this is an internal problem with the MoD and the district council,” the school newspaper warns.
School approved
- The long-awaited six-year secondary school for Lochgelly, Fife, is to go ahead. The Scottish Education Department has given its approval for the school to be built by the summer of 2008 at a cost of #163;6 million. It will take 1,250 pupils and do away with the junior high schools at Balingry, Beath and Auchterderran.
