Demands that the Scottish Executive spell out the future of history in the nation's schools
Professor Tom Devine, widely viewed as Scotland's top historian, says suggestions by Peter Peacock, the education minister, that the subject may not be offered as a stand-alone part of the curriculum in the first two years of secondary school are "an educational disgrace".
Mr Peacock has said the curriculum review being carried out could see history being taught as part of other subjects, such as French or modern studies, instead. The minister, who explains the thinking in our Education pages today, said: "It is about being less prescriptive from the centre about the detail of what teachers teach, and providing them with freedom, space and trust to exercise their professional judgment and decide what is most appropriate for their pupils."
But writing in The Scotsman today, Prof Devine says Scottish pupils should be receiving more, not less, history tuition in the classroom.
He says: "If this nonsensical suggestion is ever accepted, the Scottish Parliament may be presiding over the possible destruction of history in Scottish schools. It is now time for the Executive to decide whether they want to promote history's place in our education system or want to hasten its demise for good. At the very least, a formal ministerial statement on an issue so vital to the culture of the nation now and in the future is vitally required."