26.02.2007
MSPs will today take part in the last MSPs in Schools event before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of May’s elections.
Amongst those taking part in these final sessions is Holyrood’s Presiding Officer George Reid MSP.
The Presiding Officer will visit Fossoway Primary School as part of a pilot project run by the Parliament’s Outreach Services where he will witness a mini election – with pupils forming their own parties, drafting their own manifestos and then casting their vote.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Presiding Officer George Reid MSP said:
"This is the second year I have taken part in this valuable and worthwhile project, and have always found young people to be passionately interested in politics and the world around them.
"The Parliament’s team have worked hard this year to reach into schools across Scotland, meeting an average of 250 pupils a week in their own classrooms. Events like these give pupils the opportunity to not only learn about their Parliament, but also gain a greater understanding of how they can play a real part in the political process.“
The programme started in 2005 to strengthen the links between schools, young people and the Scottish Parliament. Since then MSPs have visited schools in 30 out of 32 local authorities. In 2005-6, 58 schools and 95 classes took part – with 70 MSPs making 143 visits. By 2006-7, more schools were involved, with 105 schools, 225 classes visited, and 77 out of 129 MSPs taking part.
Other visits taking place today include:
- Holytown Primary School, North Lanarkshire;
- Dornoch Primary School, Highland, Sutherland;
- Dunbarney Primary School, Bridge of Earn;
- Patna Primary School, East Ayrshire;
- Rashilea Primary School, Erskine;
Background information
The ‘MSPs in Schools’ programme has been running for two years and aims to inform school pupils of the work of the Scottish Parliament through the wider aspects of education for citizenship in Scotland , including motivation, values and participation.
The project has been set up by Hansard Society Scotland working with the Scottish Parliament’s Outreach Services, Learning and Teaching Scotland, The Scottish Executive and Electoral Commission.
The programme is made up of two sessions, or visits:
The first session is held by a member of the Parliament’s outreach team who visits the school to talk to the children to outline how the Scottish Parliament works.
Then in the second the local MSPs are invited into the school to explain at first hand their role.
The Hansard Society was established in 1944 to promote the ideals of par liam entary government when it was seen to be threatened by fascist and communist dictatorships. Its activities, meetings and publications focus on educating people, especially the young, on how the UK government, devolved institutions and European Parliament work. Through its work with schools the Society has been – and continues to be – a pioneer in what is now called citizenship education.
Learning and Teaching Scotland is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Scottish Executive Education Department. The organisation provides independent advice to Scottish Ministers as well as direction and wide-ranging support to educational professionals and stakeholders.
The Electoral Commission is an independent body established by Parliament. It aims to ensure public confidence and participation in the democratic process within the United Kingdom through modernisation of the electoral process and promotion of public awareness of electoral matters.