Tavish Scott: The SNP has declared war on history lessons

THERE has again been an entirely predictable row about Scottish regiment names. A ham-fisted UK Defence Secretary whose agenda is always to cut, and to hell with the consequences, wanted to abolish famous British regimental names.

He has been put back in his box for now by the Prime Minister, recognising his plans were a political gift to the opposition.

But if anything positive comes out of this episode, it will be that it draws attention to the need to teach the next generation of Scots about history and the consequences of war. By understanding the mistakes of previous generations there should be some hope for the future. This seems all the more important as my news-junkie son watches the Syrian catastrophe every night and asks why. A particularly good question.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I therefore find the Nationalist government’s determination to make the teaching of history in Scottish classrooms an increasingly insular exercise quite wrong. Learned and intelligent people in the education system should be standing up to the classroom bully that education secretary Mike Russell has become.

This is what is going on with your taxpayers’ money. Standard Grade history in secondary schools used to incorporate British, American and world history. The mix was helped by including the Industrial Revolution, as it affected the entire UK, the American Civil War and the Great War, where the causes and lasting impact have prescient lessons for today’s pupils.

Under a Nationalist government, choice for teachers is gone. They must teach Scottish history at the expense of a world and European perspective. History teachers across Scotland have just had the final teaching plan from the government quango responsible. Mr Russell’s imprint is all over it. Teaching the Great War as an option is gone. Well, not quite. It can be taught, but only from a Scottish perspective – whatever that means.

No more will fascinated youngsters assess post-war peacekeeping, peacemaking, the Treaty of Versailles and the reality of the trenches.

This is a disgrace, though I admit I am biased. I have a son who is fascinated by military history and demanded the family went on holiday to Normandy so he could see the D-Day landing beaches. But no matter that Scots were and are an integral part of the British Army, Nationalist ministers now believe that being parochial, narrow-minded and blind to the needs of young Scots – so they can wrap themselves in the Saltire – is all that matters.

There is more to Scotland’s military history than Bannockburn. Just visit the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle and look at the battle honours of Scottish regiments.

As the Campaign for Real Education put it: “The SNP are trying to rewrite the history books to create propaganda that is utterly unacceptable.” Those responsible should hang their heads in shame.

• Tavish Scott is Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland

Related topics: