Onwards from success
In Scotland we have become so accustomed to lamenting the decline, the poverty or the dependence of our cultural life that we react with a kind of bewildered astonishment when something Scottish is seen to have unquestioned and complete success. This month has been breathtaking, for there have been two noteworthy success stories in quite different fields. They are the Scottish Opera’s Ring cycle and the Scottish BBC series Who Are the Scots?
EIS welcomes end of panel
The EIS is not now to withdraw members from the Secretary of State’s reference panel, and has dropped plans for strike action against the employment of unqualified persons as secondary teachers. The move is in response to the Secretary of State’s announcement that the panel will cease to function in regard to secondary schools, meaning unregistered teachers will not be employed in secondaries after this session.
`Keep cool’ about violence
While admitting concern about violence in schools, Mrs Thatcher, Secretary of State for Education and Science, warned MPs against over-emphasis of the problem. When Mr Jeffrey Archer (Louth, C) urged an inquiry, Mrs Thatcher was not sure that this would make the best contribution to solving this problem. Mr Archer said that was not a totally satisfactory answer. Many teachers and parents were genuinely worried.
New approach to education research needed
Teachers have a stranglehold on educational research, Dr Alan Little, director of the Inner London Education Authority’s Research and Statistics Group, has said. “We have got to get away from the notion that the only people who know anything about education are teachers,” he said.
`Stay out of Ulster’ plea
Catholic teachers in Northern Ireland are to ask the National Union of Teachers to keep out of Ulster. It is understood the NUT will debate a recommendation to merge with the Ulster Teachers’ Union, which is predominantly Protestant. Mr Gerry Quigley, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, described the proposed move as “neo- colonialism”.
