Parliamentary Debate - Scottish Outdoor Education. February 4, 2008
Posted by Bill in : Outdoor Learning , trackback
“Outdoor learning is not just something that is done in five special days of schooling; it should be part of where and how children and young people learn on a day-to-day basis”
Maureen Watt - Minister for Schools & Skills.
Below are links to last weeks debate in the Scottish Parliament on the below motion that the above quotes are taken from. Once again it seems there is great enthusiasm for the delivery of outdoor learning in Scotland, but the continuity of need and supply on the ground prompted this comment;
“The extraordinary thing is that, in the 1970s and 1980s, there were more young people in education and less was spent on it but we still found the money for outdoor education. Now, we have fewer pupils, more money, but no outdoor education”
Robin Harper MSP.
More details below but definitely some opportunities here for SAPOE members to provide further briefing to better inform a positive future debate.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes the vital contribution that taking part in extra-curricular activities makes in developing our young people; notes that extra-curricular programmes help our young people to learn new skills, to enjoy new responsibility, to appreciate the work of other people and to learn about leadership; notes the success of projects such as Crieff High School’s Community Awareness Project, and considers that, in an age when too many of our young people are in the headlines for the wrong reasons and when there are increasing concerns about school discipline and the numbers of youngsters involved in incidents of antisocial behaviour, extra-curricular activities in schools and five days outdoor education for every school pupil in Scotland should be supported.
Comments»
Bill
This was a really encouraging and interesting debate. A question I have been asked is who is best placed to continue to lobby at government level to try and ensure that some of the examples of best practise described in the debate become the norm for schools in Scotland. The outdoor connections group might still be well placed, SAPOE as you mentioned and also Elizabeth Smith who put forward the motion represents Fife! Interesting for me.
What do you think?
I am not sure about the way forward. I know it will have been discussed at great length by SAPOE and will no doubt be on the agenda of their next meeting to keep the momentum up.
I am not sure what the outdoor connections group will be doing on the debate but have already done some great work in raising the profile of outdoor learning in the Scottish Arena.The RWL partnerships are also very active. So sorry no real answers but at local level we can keep our MSP s informed to support any future debate. Also IOL Scotland will no doubt support.
Great to see Outdoor Learning being discussed at this level and all comments from MSP s o the debate appear positive.
Ali,
Further to your question ; From SAPOE website
“The Panel responds to national consultation documents and lobbies for the cause of outdoor learning, especially in a local authority context.”
Great to see that it, Ol/OE, is being valued. Especially after the debacle in 1997 when so many purpose built OEC centres were shut and closed down when the ‘regions’ were split up. I felt disillusioned working in that political envrionment so went to do a BEd, now I teach in sec. schools full time, have done regulr OL sessions for ten years and I’m promoting more Ol thru ACfE.
Nick
Nick I agree it’s great that profile is high again, it’s just keeping the momentum going. Seeing lobbying at MSP level is very encouraging. There was a brief for ministers this week and ther was invited contributors only from OE sphere - not sure who was invited. Hope to hear more about it soon.