Issues in the Scottish Educational System

There are a number of educational issues that posse challenges to the Scottish education system. There are issues that have been around for decades that still require attention, such as anti-bully and anti-racism where policies come into practice within the school community. However, there are other issues that have come into focus over recent years that a lot of people are unaware of. One such educational issue, that has to be addressed is, Global Citizenship Education. In the following piece I am aiming to show why this issue is important in education today, highlight the key arguments for Global Citizenship Education and to conclude I will make recommendations on what I think should be done in relation to the issue.

Citizenship & Global Citizenship

It will be an aid to the piece to look at the relationship between Citizenship and Global Citizenship. These two areas with education are separate issues but they do hold many similar characteristics. I think it is important to define exactly what these issues are and what there involvement within the education system is.

Citizenship in education concentrates primarily on society and social justice.

The new Curriculum for excellence that has been introduced into the Scottish education system to replace the 5-14 documentation outlines responsible citizens as one of the four purposes for the curriculum. The Learning and teaching Scotland website

Richard Baker’s global citizenship guide for schools and teachers (2008) uses the relationship between citizenship and global citizenship to show the challenges that are faced locally and globally and how education can help answer these issues. Introduction of global citizenship education into the Scottish education system allows...

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... with Global Citizenship Education and International Education present to be effective in anyway must be driven by core ethical questions. It has to encourage pupils to think and help them develop skills that will aid them in becoming responsible citizens. All Improvements and Recommendations made are outlined to make sure that the pupils are being challenged. Challenging pupils will result in them developing their own views, values and skills that will benefit them greatly in the every changing world that is the 21st century.

In the 21st century teachers should be encouraging young people to explore, develop and express their own values and opinions, whilst learning to and respecting other people’s point of view. With these vital developments the young members of society will strive in the multicultural society that has become the norm in the United Kingdom.