Scots literature to be made compulsory part of school exams
Scots text will be a compulsary part of school exams from 2014. Picture: Ian Rutherford
ALL pupils taking Higher English exams will be required to answer a question on Scottish texts, Education Secretary Michael Russell said today.
The announcement, coinciding with Burns Night, confirms the Scottish Government’s acceptance of the recommendation from the Scottish Studies Working Group, and Higher English will include a specific element on Scottish texts from 2014/15 onwards.
Currently students have the option of answering a question on a Scottish text, however this new measure will make this a compulsory part of the exam.
Mr Russell said: “Our country has a rich and world-renowned literary tradition and it is fitting to be able to make this announcement on Burns Night, when we celebrate the national bard.
“Scotland’s contribution to literature is marked down the generations, Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson have provided work that has lasted the test of time, along with contemporary writers like Irvine Welsh and Liz Lochhead.
“We want our children and young people to have the chance to learn about our literary tradition and to inspire the future generations of Scottish writers.”
Scotland’s Makar Liz Lochhead, who is the national poet, said: “In common with just about every English teacher, academic, and certainly every fellow writer that I’ve consulted informally for their opinion, I am delighted that Scotland seeks to ensure that some Scottish texts are included in the literature taught in our schools. And that it will be a requirement to answer an examination question on at least one of these.
“Remembering that such texts may be in English, Scots-English, Scots, or any mixture of these, may come from any historical period, including the present, and are certainly not required to reflect a chauvinistic or uncritical view of Scottish society, it can only benefit our future citizens to so engage with their own culture.”
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Comments
There are 22 comments to this article
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Taigh na Croiche
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:23 PM#19 -ever read the bible? Are you a Unionist btw? You seem to hate Scotland. Keep up the bile. Its wonderful.
bamboo
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:38 PMScotland has produced more than its fair share of inventors but its a different story with literature. Let's face it, Burns is like Irn Bru. He's only bigged up because he's Scottish and wouldn't register elsewhere. Scott is OK but a bit flowery and Ossian turned out to be a fake.
Faceless_bureaucrat
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 06:28 PMAye, let's make them watch "River city" - give them a wee dose of multi-Kulty diversity.
Buford Van Stomm
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12:52 PMWhy would some people be scared of this? ==================================================== I'm not sure I want my child exposed to a scene where a man asks his wife to defecate in his mouth.
Buford Van Stomm
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12:46 PMComment removed by moderator
Taigh na Croiche
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12:23 PM#15 - aye. My primary kids love the Broons.
Taigh na Croiche
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12:23 PMGood news. Every other nation studies her own culture as well as that of others, including most of the small nations that have been judged more prosperous than the bankrupt UK. I look forward to my kids learning about Irvine Welsh as well Iain Banks or Iain Crichton Smith or Somhairle Maclean. Go for it. --- Why would some people be scared of this?
Biscuit McVittie
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:06 AMYes. The Broons and Orr Wullie should be made compulsory reading.
Buford Van Stomm
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:18 AMthey really do not have to provide evidence of their lack of a monopoly of wisdom every day.
Tennis C. Williams
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 06:29 AMScottish school chidren should looking for ways to boost the economy and reduce unemployment rather than spending their time reading Scottish texts.
young reekie
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 06:02 AMI am surprised that it isn't compulsory. I still have my Burns certificate for singing and reciting in a national schools competition. 1958
footdee
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:44 AMTrue Scot Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:32 " people who don't declare all their affiliations"-------in that case with a name like yours ,you must support independence
footdee
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:42 AMrue Scot Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:32 PM #5 -calm down dear- I don't hate Scotland, but i do hate politicisation of our culture------------do you mean like teachers telling Scots Kids that English History is what they should be studying
footdee
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:40 AMExiled Leither Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:52 PM Here is a Burns text for kids to learn: O let us not, like snarlin tykes, In wrangling be divided; Till slap come in an unco loon And wi' a rung decide it..Be Britain still to Britain true, Amang oursels united; For never but by British hands Maun British wrangs be righted!-----------------------------leither ,that was written at the suggestion of his employer, right after he was threatened that he would lose his job as an exciseman for singing the praises of the French revolution --------A bit like the westminster govt threatening Scotland today ---It works with fainthearts like you.
Exiled Leither
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:52 PMHere is a Burns text for kids to learn: O let us not, like snarlin tykes, In wrangling be divided; Till slap come in an unco loon And wi' a rung decide it..Be Britain still to Britain true, Amang oursels united; For never but by British hands Maun British wrangs be righted!
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