THE most important issue facing a nation and its future is education standards and expectations. For many decades and for far too long, Scotland’s schools and teachers have been trained to teach to the "lower average" rather than the "higher average". This matters greatly for all pupils' attainments.
I am a former primary teacher and my three grown-up children went through the state system in the 1990s and 2000s. They all did well and went on to university because of our parental input and high expectations. As parents we encouraged reading, number, music, art and being inquisitive and enjoying learning new skills for their own sake. Learning new skills and being challenged is one of the greatest joys in life. Personal development through art, music and sport is also crucial.
What we discovered at school though was general low expectations by teachers (although not all) and to attain good grades they didn’t really have to work hard until second year at university. I was even told by one primary headteacher that my older son was "only average and I should accept it". He went on to be dux of his secondary school and is now a paediatric dentist. Teachers in Scotland have been taught to teach to ability groups for decades now, but is this best for every subject? These educational theories were pursued under Labour and the Tories – and not the SNP.
The more successful Nordic teaching methods teach children in mixed ability groups and after high quality early years education, have high expectations for all children. This is also similar to Montessori methods and mentoring by the more able and older pupils.
Most education happens at home of course, and well before a child is five. So my suggestions are parenting classes, investment in quality early-years education, teaching to mixed ability groups and increasing teachers' expectations so they teach to the higher average with a focus on personal development.
P Keightley,
9 Crossburn Avenue, Glasgow.
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