Monday, 19 March 2012 17:04

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The SNP has welcomed a new group of academics and cultural specialists championing the introduction of Scottish Studies in Scottish schools.

The group, comprising academics, novelists and former teachers, is supporting the integration of Scottish Studies into the curriculum.

Convener of the group, Professor Murray Pittock, vice-principal and head of the college of arts at the University of Glasgow, said: “All of us are very excited at the prospect of supporting projects that we believe will fire the imagination of our young people in the history, art, sculpture, languages, literature, music and cultures of their country, including resources that explain and explore Scottish studies in a more localised context.”

The group will work closely with government agency Education Scotland to produce a range of initiatives and materials for pupils. The group is also backing further steps towards incorporating elements of Gaelic and Scots into early years teaching and will support the work of the Burns Federation in laying emphasis on the works of Robert Burns in schools.

Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Central Scotland and member of the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee, said:

“This group recognise the importance of Scottish Studies, saying it is ‘hugely significant’.

“This non-political and non-partisan group shares the same view with the SNP Government that learning about our country and its rich heritage, as well as understanding our place in the world, is extremely important.

“We are working hard to strengthen the presence of Scottish history, literature, language and culture in the curriculum.

“Learning about Scotland should be a natural and normal part of learning for all our young people and recent research shows 90 per cent of people in Scotland agree.”