Back in 1912, it seems, there was a management issue hanging over the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway. The rector was in fearful anticipation of the impending switch to local authority control of schools.
Perhaps the present incumbent, embroiled in battles with the Western Isles Council, might consider framing his predecessor’s observations (unearthed by Lindsay Paterson for the benefit of last week’s Educational Institute of Scotland conference).
Education authorities, the rector warned, would “impair local responsibility, local management and local initiative”. That was the pre-Great War view before trench warfare took over.
