BRIDGE of Allan Primary in Stirling is to be congratulated for pioneering Vodaphone’s excellent Connected Education solution (Primary project giving pupils digital access, December 10). However it should be remembered that we live in an age dominated by technology as never before in the history of human existence. For children and young people in particular, the grip of the gizmo can cause considerable disconnect and damage.
It was Richard Louv of the Children & Nature Network who coined the expression “nature-deficit disorder”. His 2016 book Last Child in the Woods brought together research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development – both physical and emotional.
READ MORE: Pilot project gives Scottish students access to digital education services
All wildlife organisations need to “up their game” to tackle this challenge of our times effectively. Their adult members do not share adequately with youngsters awesome knowledge of our magnificent natural environment.
At another level is the important and progressive decision of the Scottish Government to introduce to Parliament the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. Yet it would be even more impressive if an additional right could be incorporated, namely “the right for children to connect with nature outdoors frequently”.
Now there’s a challenge worth considering!
David Ashford
Isle of Skye
AS ever, Michael Fry bandwagons free-market capitalism and excuses the inequalities inherent in much of this ideology (Why ‘equality’ will be hard to achieve even after we have independence, December 8). He either ignores, airbrushes, or tolerates the harsher realities that accompany this ideology.
Look at some of today’s events which are consistent with it: the retail oligarchs who show total disregard for “the lesser mortals” who work for them, hive away to jet-set islands the worked-for pensions of aforesaid workers, and behave generally with hideous arrogance.
READ MORE: Why ‘equality’ will be hard to achieve even after we have independence
More could be added on this theme, but that such behaviour should ever be taken as a mere offcut, side effect, of an ideology without cause to question the ideology is, in my view, unacceptable.
I would also suggest that Brexit comes within the compass of toleration as far as free -market capitalism and its inherent inequalities are concerned. Indeed the words “free” and “market” are much in Brexit vocabulary.
No, I am sorry Michael Fry, but I think you are missing far too many landmarks in your journey into Scotland’s future, and you should I think ask yourself if you are really on the right road.
Ian Johnstone
Peterhead
MONDAY’S paper told us mountain hare clearances were proposed and William and Kate ignored Scottish travel regulations.
What sort of world do we live in?
Feeding grouse to kill them for sport is more important than preserving the hare for future generations or perhaps shifting them to become someone else’s problem in a new take on the Clearances.
READ MORE: Gamekeepers call for protected mountain hares to be moved from moors
Our royal family again decides the rules for their subjects don’t apply to them. They do a three-nation tour despite the Covid travel rules applying in Scotland.
Roll on indy and let’s bring some sanity back into our lives!
Catriona Grigg
Embo
I REFER to your article on Willam and Kate travelling round the UK. This is exactly what I have said since March – we are NOT all in this together. The rich and powerful continue to do as they have always done – exactly as they like. They ignore the ordinary citizens, their worries, trials and tribulations, they continue on their merry way leaving to rest of us locked up. I would love to go on a trip, but that avenue of pleasure has been closed off to me, as Basil Fawlty would say!
Margaret Forbes
Kilmacolm
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: Reports of royal Scotland trip show ignorance of London bubble
I REFER to the letter by Selma Rahman in which she asks: “Are we so fickle in our determination to regain independence that we will be derailed?” (Letters, October 9). I write the following lines: The battle is not the fight, the struggle is inside. Every thought needs effort, every day has a meaning. The road is long, the mountain is high. The dawn is on the other side, the barriers must be broken. The peace, it awaits you, the words must be spoken. Please, no more bickering, just get on with indyref 2.
FMK
East Renfrewshire
READ MORE: Passionate, informed discussion about our future is not anti-SNP
I HAVE just received a notice from my car insurance company informing me that if I intend driving in Europe at the beginning of 2021 I might require to have a “Green Card”, whatever that might be. This surely must be a mistake as the PM Boris Johnson promised the British people that by leaving the EU we, the British people, would be taking back control of our own affairs!
Thomas L Inglis
Fintry
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