KATE Forbes appears to have every confidence in Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education, being capable of tackling post-Covid challenges successfully. I would respectfully suggest there is a better chance of that happening if the school start age were to be shifted from four or five to seven or eight.
Not only would this bring Scotland in line with most of the rest of the world, but the children themselves would celebrate relief from needless persistent pressures to close attainment gaps.
READ MORE: Kate Forbes: Why education is key to the Scottish independence argument
What is wanted is a new profession of kindergarten educators or carers focused on children having the freedom to learn through play-time together.
I would urge Kate and Jenny to take a close look at the website of Upstart Scotland. There they will discover paths to the huge advantages of an enlightened approach to meaningful education.
May Jenny’s “programme of curriculum improvement this year” bring about a widespread awareness of children’s need for pre-school freedoms.
David Ashford
Isleornsay, Isle of Skye
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