Education should never be restricted to the classroom

Stewart Stevenson - education should not be restricted to the classroom
Stewart Stevenson – education should not be restricted to the classroom

EDUCATION SHOULD NOT be restricted to the classroom according to Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.

The MSP, whose constituency includes Buckie, was speaking at a Scottish Government debate on the delivery of a “World Class Education System”.

Pointing to an OECD report that gives international education examples including that of a teacher leadership programme in Canada, Mr Stevenson stressed the importance of learning in the home – and ensuring that adult relatives and parents were equally equipped to answer probing questions from children.

He said: “We should not imagine that all education takes place in school. It is important that parents and relatives are equally equipped to answer the intelligent questions that our youngsters inevitably come up with.”

“The OECD report refers to international examples, including the Ontario teacher leadership and learning programme and the Alberta initiative for school improvement.

“That gives a fascinating insight into what can be done elsewhere. We have to accept that there is no single answer and that, actually, the most important thing is that those who are engaged in education are committed to picking up and trying new ideas.”

The MSP concluded that there was a great deal more to do but added: “I am confident that the Government is willing and able to do it and is actually doing it.”