Education Committee, 21 Mar 2007

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Official Report 116KB pdf

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Petition

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Secondary Schools (Lockers) (PE825)

Item 2 is petition PE825, from Rosshall academy student council and higher modern studies section, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to ensure that every Scottish secondary school provides lockers for pupils' use. We heard from the petitioners at our previous meeting on 27 February.

The students deserve a great deal of credit for using the Parliament's petitions system very effectively to draw the matter to the attention of councillors, members of the Scottish Parliament and the media. However, my understanding is that no other country in the world has legislated to provide school lockers and that attempting to do so would be fraught with difficulties. It is a matter for head teachers and local managers, in consultation with pupils and parents through their parent council, to decide in each school whether to have lockers and how to manage their operation. The question is, therefore, whether it would be appropriate to oblige schools to make such provision, as local circumstances vary from place to place. I am open to members' views as to whether we wish to do anything further with the petition or, sadly, recommend that it be closed.

The petition raises a serious issue. Although schools' circumstances might be different, I am not sure that pupils' circumstances are that much different. Generally, secondary pupils have a great deal of weight to carry because of the books in their bag. What is striking from the evidence is the lack of consultation that took place when there were refurbishments and new builds. We are trying to encourage an appreciation of local authorities' accountability to those whom they serve and recognition of the fact that pupil councils should have an important role within schools.

It is essential that in refurbishing school buildings pupils' needs are taken into account. Clearly, in this case they were not, although on the basis of this petition we cannot pass judgment on the degree to which they have been taken into account with other refurbishments and new builds. It is clear that the Executive could produce guidance on asking pupils what they need in respect of not only lockers but other provision. We could do something constructive by requesting that the Executive covers those matters in its refurbishment guidance.

I make the wider point that pupils' interests are often completely forgotten about in guidance on schools issues. It often refers to parents and staff but forgets about pupils, who are perhaps the people who know best how things work on the ground. There is an issue about how we encourage local authorities, school boards—or parent councils, as they will become—and others to involve pupils in the decision-making process in schools. That is a general issue that goes beyond refurbishment.

There is also a practical issue. We should ask the Executive to engage—if it does not do so already—with those who produce educational materials to consider their thickness. That cannot be changed overnight, but efforts could be made to divide materials into volumes when they are reprinted, so that pupils have less to carry. That is another constructive thing that we could do, but the question is how we can make a difference at this stage in the parliamentary calendar. I do not want to close the petition without doing something. The pupils' request is not unreasonable, but how can we act on their proposal?

There is an issue in relation to the curriculum for excellence. When schools design new courses, they should take into account the practicalities of how course materials are dealt with.

Timetabling is also an issue. For example, pupils might have to bring musical instruments to school on the same day as sports kit and other items. I remember from my young days having my hockey kit in one hand and other equipment in the other hand. Schools should consider what items pupils will have to carry on particular days.

There are practical issues when children have to carry bulky items for particular reasons. In such cases, special arrangements should be made. A pupil should not have to carry a tuba around all day—it is not practical.

It is interesting to contrast the experience of the pupils who lodged the petition with that of pupils at the brand new Williamwood high school in my area. One of the most striking features of that school is that there are rows of lockers just inside the entrance on the right-hand side. When I asked about them, I was told that they were there specifically because the pupils were consulted and asked for them. There might be mixed practice, but there are examples of good practice out there.

I agree with the convener that we should not legislate on the matter. However, given that the pupils who lodged the petition asked us to urge the Scottish Executive to take action, I wonder whether it would be appropriate for us to write to the Scottish Executive expressing our sympathy with the pupils' suggestion not just that lockers should be provided but that pupils should be consulted on such matters. The Executive occasionally issues circulars and provides guidance. We should suggest that it bears the matter in mind in the future development of policy, particularly on consultation with school councils and senior pupils.

I agree with the convener. It is for head teachers to decide whether their school should have lockers and how they should be managed. Obviously, that can be done in consultation with parents and pupils. Parental involvement is invaluable and should be strengthened.

The pupils who lodged the petition have provided an excellent example of how to enthusiastically and articulately argue one's case. It occurs to me that the Executive and the Parliament might have a limited role from a public health promotion standpoint. I echo what Kenneth Macintosh said—I wonder whether the Executive might consider issuing guidance on best practice. That is a matter for the Minister for Education and Young People. I agree with the convener that the petition should be closed, but it might be tactful to draw the matter to the minister's attention and suggest that guidance should be considered.

That is probably the best route to take. We should also emphasise that pupils should be consulted when new schools are built. Some schools will not have the space or the capacity to provide lockers, but we should ask the minister to consider the matter and recommend that there is consultation when new schools are built. That would be helpful progress.

It seems that the committee is unanimous in its concern about the issue. The best way to proceed might be to write to the Minister for Education and Young People drawing his attention to our discussion, in the hope that he will take on board the points that we have raised. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.