Studied response

It is outrageous for the would-be leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, Ken Macintosh, to claim that plans to introduce Scottish studies amount to “politicising the education system” and “brainwashing children”.

Just why is Labour so opposed to any expression of a distinctive Scotland?

Like most of my generation I received no Scottish history, culture or language tuition in my six years of secondary education and no other nation in the world has such little teaching of its world famous inventors, social, economic and political history, indigenous culture and languages.

Far from making this optional, I would make Scottish studies compulsory to help build a better awareness of our nation, both good and ill, and creating a more cohesive society by ensuring recent arrivals know about our past to help understand the present.

Calum Stewart

Montague Street

Edinburgh

One has to wonder how much more potential for self-contradiction does Labour’s education spokesperson have.

On both radio and television on Thursday Ken Macintosh berated the SNP government for allowing politicians a say in setting the school curriculum (on Scottish studies), but in the next breath urged that they should be setting the exams for the Curriculum for Excellence.

I find it hard to believe that Labour, in its quest to restore credibility, is seriously suggesting such a pick and mix approach?

(Cllr) Roger Knox

Ravensheugh Road

Musselburgh

It is sad to note that a Labour MSP regards the teaching of Scottish history to be political indoctrination.

He cannot have much pride in his own country.

Does he not realise that this lack of pride and respect may be a factor in encouraging the social evils of littering and graffiti which makes many of us deeply ashamed of the current Scottish environment?

Dorothy Stewart

Merchiston Park

London