This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Support for enterprising Stirling pupils
26/01/2004
Schools in the Stirling Council area are set to benefit from new resources to support enterprising pupils who are determined to succeed.
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Jim Wallace today announced that Stirling Council would receive £ 605,845 over three years through the Executive's £40 million enterprise in education strategy.
Speaking during a visit to Raploch Primary School in Stirling, he said:
"I want to see a culture of aspiration in Scotland, and particularly amongst our young people - here in Stirling and across the country.
"There is a real need to change attitudes towards enterprise in Scotland. We need a fundamental shift in thinking - encouraging young people to have a go, to take sensible risks, and not to be put off by initial failure but see it as a launchpad for future success.
"The Executive's enterprise in education strategy - Determined to Succeed - recognises that the best way to start making these changes is in the classroom.
"Raploch Primary School is already doing good work in this area and I've been highly impressed with the activities underway here. The school recently held a successful careers festival and has an entrepreneurial craft club as well as group projects on Citizenship and healthy eating.
"The funding I'm announcing today will enable other Stirling schools to build on this good practice."
The Minister had earlier in the day visited Stirling University, where he was given a tour of the university's Institute of Aquaculture as well as its recently established Iris Murdoch Building which houses the university's Dementia Services Development Centre.
He said:
"I'm delighted to be here today to meet some of the academic community at Stirling University and to see first hand some of the developments here. The Institute of Aquaculture is an acknowledged centre of world class research. I'm also pleased to visit the recently opened Iris Murdoch Building, established with contributions from the Scottish Executive, and see the facilities available here for those concerned with dementia.
"Scotland has a keen competitive edge in higher education, and we're committed to protecting it. I particularly value meeting the people and seeing at first hand the teaching and research facilities that contribute to our world-class reputation."
'Determined to Succeed - A Review of Enterprise in Education' was published on 17 December 2002 by the Education for Work and Enterprise Review Group, and contained 20 recommendations. The Group was chaired by then Deputy Education Minister Nicol Stephen, with representation from business, education and support agencies.
The Executive published its response to the report on 18 March 2003 and invited local authorities to develop 'Enterprise in Education Plans' for their area.
The Scottish Budget 2003-2006 has allocated £40 million to support Enterprise in Education. This has been supplemented by £2 million from the Hunter Foundation, match funded by the Executive.
'A Partnership for a Better Scotland' states: "We will make sure that every pupil has the opportunity to learn entrepreneurial skills at school. We will expand the number of Scottish schools involved in Enterprise in Education from 10 per cent to 100 per cent.