Win for Ross Greer MSP over Arms Dealing Lessons
After pressure from Ross Greer, Education Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney have agreed that a lesson plan which involves pupils role-playing as arms dealers is inappropriate for use in Scottish schools. This lesson plan involved a Dragon’s Den style scenario where pupils would compete as arms dealers to sell weapons during World War I, coming up with battle plans and justifying the ‘effectiveness’ of their weapons, including bayonets and flame-throwers. Of particular concern, South Lanarkshire Council reported that this lesson plan was popular with teachers and pupils.
Ross Greer had previously quizzed the Cabinet Secretary for Education in the Scottish Parliament and written directly to Education Scotland to raise concerns.
John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, sent the following letter to Ross:
