One boat, two MSPs and four Hebridean Islands

Two MSPs will sail to the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna in a whirlwind one-day visit to bring the Scottish Parliament to island school children as part of an educational outreach programme.

Mary Scanlon MSP and Dave Thompson MSP, who both represent the Highlands and Islands, will visit school children on all four islands on 31 May.

“Educational outreach”

This includes the island of Canna, which has a total of four children on its roll under the age of nine.

Head of Education and Community Partnerships, Rosemary Everett said:

“The Scottish Parliament’s Education Outreach team is committed to taking learning about the Parliament into the heart of local communities, no matter where they might be in Scotland. We have already worked with schools in the same area of Mallaig, Inverie and Upper Achintore this academic year. We’ll also be visiting schools on Harris, Lewis, Islay, Benbecula, Orkney, Skye and Shetland.”

The MSPs will talk to the school children about their roles, both regionally and in the Parliament. The politicians will also discuss issues that matter to the pupils and suggest ways to engage with the Parliament to make changes. A member of the educational outreach team will visit the schools this week to prepare for the MSPs’ visit.

“Inside Parliament”

The Parliament’s Education Service will also launch a number of new initiatives this week. This includes a four day continuous professional development course starting today called ‘Inside Parliament’. Twelve teaching staff from across Scotland will take part in sessions with Scottish Parliament staff and MSPs to gain an insider’s view of how the Parliament works. Participants will develop activities and resources that can be used in Social Studies, Religious & Moral Education or Expressive Arts.