Wednesday 16 April 2008

Evidence? What's the use?

One might well ask. Well I certainly will. What is the point of trying so hard to be creative and engage the children in learning and in trying to extend the ways in which we can help make them, as ACfE demands, responsible citizens if The Scottish Government are going to undermine vast amounts of good work?

The previous administration, rather commendably said this. In summary, more PE in schools = good thing; more PE teachers to be appointed; 2 hours of PE for all.

At the weekend however, "MINISTERS ARE scrapping physical education targets - after councils claimed that giving children more exercise does not make them fitter"

Eh?

I could rant and rant about this all evening and indeed I've restrained myself from blogging about this for a couple of days as I just couldn't quite put into words my annoyance, frustration and incredulity at the lastest missive from the Holyrood administration.

Although I'm no great fan of hers, Labour's Margaret Curran said it best when she suggested that "With the SNP, the left leg doesn't know what the right leg is doing - and neither leg is getting any exercise."

There's loads out there on the web just now about this and plenty on the blogs too so I'm not going to add any more as I should really go and do some physical activity since the SNP aren't going to insist on just quite so much in school anymore. Please read what's out there, digest it at your leisure and promptly ignore such crass Executive/Government backpeddaling and instead make sure you keep giving those children their two hours!

If I might at this juncture point you in the direction of Article 29(a) of the UN Convention on the rights of the child:

States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to: The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential.

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2192937.0.anger_after_snp_uturn_on_school_fitness_targets.php
http://news.scotsman.com/education?articleid=3976752
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7346369.stm
http://greatbigsky.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 9 April 2008

Break in transmission...

Aside from the natural break of the Easter holidays (Higland went early, 20th March - 7th April) I've been a bit preoccupied of late with possible moves in different directions. I'll get this evidence gathering right back on track as soon as I've sorted out what on earth I'll be doing in my new job! Follow the progress here for the time being...