Western Isles schools in hock
Education in the Western Isles will not suffer immediately from the council’s involvement with the crashed Bank of Credit and Commerce International, but more school closures could be on the cards. It is the only education authority affected by BCCI’s collapse; losses are equivalent to the entire education budget and almost half its total expenditure.
Appeals set for further rise
The number of appeals rose by 13 per cent last year, the Scottish Examination Board has confirmed in its report for 1990. The figure - almost 45,000 for O grade, Standard grade, Higher and Sixth Year Studies - may rise again this year, following cost-cutting administrative changes to the marking system. Close scrutiny of markers’ scripts has been abandoned in favour of broader sampling techniques, a practice that has been criticised as unfair.
Horseplay not a crime
Three appeal court judges have quashed a pound;10 fine on a 16-year-old Turriff Academy pupil. Carlos Casado was found guilty at Banff and Buchan district court of causing a breach of the peace by “horseplay” in the school library. The judges granted an absolute discharge, arguing that the matter should have been settled within school.
Willowbank rift rumbles on
If Glasgow’s Willowbank Primary opted out, it would “fuse” the two great historic traditions of Scotland and Islam, according to leaders behind the move. Geoffrey Clarke, vice-chairman of the board and a supporter of opting out, revealed legal advice was sought on the allegation by opponents that Willowbank - which has 70 per cent of pupils from Muslim homes - would be transformed into an all-Muslim school.
National exams plan under fire
The US National Education Association did not even bother to count votes on President Bush’s plan to establish national examinations, passing a motion claiming the tests would “homogenise” students. Mr Bush was censured for concentrating on divisive issues such as school choice, testing and vouchers, while failing to provide leadership and tax dollars.
