Report to the People
One of the more pleasant highlights of a day in the Scottish Parliament is a visit from local school students.
I'm not sure how enjoyable they find it, though. When I meet with them to answer their questions or talk about being an MSP, I always find myself bestowing the virtues education and making the most of your school days.
Most adults, I suppose, have made a similar speech to a young person at some point and most young people are probably sick of hearing it.
That, however, does not make it wrong.
If you're at school, I know that it might sometimes seem impossible to do all the hard work required to do well. But I can assure you that getting your education now is far simpler than it is later in life. The distractions of Playstations, music and the opposite sex are nothing compared to the demands of a full time job, 2 children and a pile of bills.
It is perhaps, though, only after we have left school and experienced the real world that we truly appreciate the value of education. It is there that we learn education is not an abstract concept, but in terms of security, satisfaction and pounds in the pocket, is worth its weight in gold.
The realisation that the next 40 years of your life will be exactly the same as the last 10 can motivate many to return to the classroom.
But the determination to re-enter formal education is not always enough. While many barriers are being swept away, some groups still find it particularly difficult.
I was pleased to see, then, that one such group, loan parents, are being given some extra help. The Scottish Parliament is spending £24 million to help meet the childcare costs which can prevent lone parents going to college or university.
£7.5 million is going to colleges to widen their childcare provision and £8 million will enable local authorities to increase support for out-of-school clubs in disadvantaged areas.
The scheme also introduces the first ever childcare grant for students at university. The new £1000 grants will go to lone parents in full-time higher education to pay for formal childcare.
So if you’re enjoying your summer holidays and are not thrilled at the prospect of going back, console yourself with the thought that, in a few months, you could be nagging your mum to do her homework.
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