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mairead · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Scottish history to be taught

Saw on tonights news that Scottish history is now to be brought back as a main part of the history curriculum in schools, although British and world history will also be taught.

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I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Aventinian · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject:

You make it sound regrettable that British and world history is to be taught...

Personally, I think Scottish history is probably taught too much at the present moment. Ask your average early primary school child who William Wallace and Robert the Bruce are, and they'll probably give you a good answer. Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Queen Boudica etc are more likely to draw blank stares.

Really, the only piece of British history that seems to be taught to the same level relates to the Second World War.
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mairead · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject:

And ask their English counterparts, and most English adults, just about anything regarding Scottish history and you'll get only blank stares. Most Scottish schools teach more English and British history than they do Scottish.
It was only with the release of the Braveheart film, which was more of a romanticised version, that any Scottish children, not to mention many adults, discovered they had a history of their own.
Everyone. no matter which country they hail from, should know who they are and from where they came, and that includes the English.
Why should the Scots be made more aware of Nelson, Wellington, English Kings and Queens and English battles than they are of those people who formed the history of their own country.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

agentmancuso · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Aventinian · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

mairead · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

Then you are both exceptions if you in fact went to Scottish schools.
My own history education was all English history, not even British. Magna Carta, Hastings, Henry 8th, King Alfred, Boadicea and the Romans in England etc etc..
No mention of Wallace, Bannockburn, King Alexander, king David, No Scottish battles mentioned.

As for your sarcastic, meant to be clever, comment about birth certificates Agent, that about sums up your intelligence I think.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Holebender · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject:

Nelson was a British figure? Really? How did that famous signal go again... oh yes... "England expects..."

My history education was more like Mairead's than Aventinian's or Agentmancuso's and I'd wager if you were to survey a cross-section of Scottish children you'd find more who could tell you what happened in 1066 and what the Magna Carta was than could tell you what happened in 1314 or what the Declaration of Arbroath was.

As usual, agent makes sweeping and untrue generalisations. How can you say no Scottish child learns about any English history? It is so easy to prove false as to be not worthy of further comment.
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso

Aventinian · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:03 am Post subject:

mairead · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:50 am Post subject:

maybe not as such. I am well aware of the divided kingdoms of England but none the less it was of no interest to the Scots so why should they learn about it and not about their own divided Kingdom.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

mairead · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:

Holebender.
I would suggest that, like me, you are wasting your time trying to get the message across.
Obviously Aventinian is an English educated person who sees no further than what he was taught. He has a closed mind in which truth does not interfere with a good story..
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Aventinian · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:06 am Post subject:

Holebender · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:20 am Post subject:

agentmancuso · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:

agentmancuso · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

agentmancuso · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject:

mairead · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

What a bloody load of codswallop. I suggested no such thing, but I have noticed that is the sort of argument which you and your friend Aventinian frequently bring up.
The point I was making was merely that it is good thing for Scottish children to learn about Scottish history.
Must you turn everything into an anti-English rant. I am not anti English but I am pro Scottish.
Furthermore, my opinions are as valid as yours or anyone else's. You don't have to share them, but that does not necessarily make me wrong and you always correct either. Obviously you have never been in a good debating society or you would have learned something about conducting debates and discussions...

PS. I am nowhere near the ninety age, and if you think I am then show some respect for your elders, or is respect just another part of your education which is sorely lacking.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

agentmancuso · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject:

Holebender · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:38 am Post subject:

mairead · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

As I am married to an lovely English gentleman, I think proves that I am not anti-English.
Yes I have no doubt that some of your friends are exactly as you describe.

Age insults don't bother me in the slightest by the way. Call me Methuslah if you like, but remember that wisdom comes with age, and someday you may even wisen up.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

agentmancuso · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject: