Chamber
Plenary, 03 Mar 2004
03 Mar 2004 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Institute for Science Education in Scotland
I, too, congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing this important debate and welcome the establishment of the Institute for Science Education in Scotland. As other members have said, it is important that we make science much more attractive as a subject to study at school.
Although I am the son, grandson and great-grandson of doctors, I am ashamed to say that science came to a grinding halt in my generation. All but one of my cousins chose the arts over science; perhaps it was partly due to an early visit to Sir James Simpson's dining room in George Street in Edinburgh, where I was shown the dining table at which he had successfully put his guests to sleep. That put me off following in my father's footsteps as an anaesthetist.
Scientific education is a necessary prelude to the study of medicine, and it is most easily and thoroughly—although not necessarily—obtained at school rather than crammed later on. Our medical schools—I am proud to say that we have one in St Andrews in my area, albeit only a pre-clinical one—are among the oldest and most distinguished in the United Kingdom, attracting students from all over the world.
Nowadays, almost 60 per cent of our entrants to medical school are female, which is very different from my mother's day in the mid-1930s when few women studied medicine. When women graduate as doctors, many naturally and understandably drop out for a while so that they can bring up their children. In contrast to Elaine Murray and Sylvia Jackson, I am concerned that more boys should be attracted into studying science at school, with the ultimate objective of going into medicine. I am sorry that I have caused such uneasy body language among the lady members who are present, but they are in favour of gender balance, so they must accept it in medicine as well as in politics.
I welcome the fact that our medical schools are so good that they attract students from throughout the world. However, it is important that we do not permanently deprive their own countries—particularly those in the developing world—of those students. We want to send them back because they are an important export for us.
I repeat that it is important that we attract more Scots into medicine—particularly more Scottish men.
Although I am the son, grandson and great-grandson of doctors, I am ashamed to say that science came to a grinding halt in my generation. All but one of my cousins chose the arts over science; perhaps it was partly due to an early visit to Sir James Simpson's dining room in George Street in Edinburgh, where I was shown the dining table at which he had successfully put his guests to sleep. That put me off following in my father's footsteps as an anaesthetist.
Scientific education is a necessary prelude to the study of medicine, and it is most easily and thoroughly—although not necessarily—obtained at school rather than crammed later on. Our medical schools—I am proud to say that we have one in St Andrews in my area, albeit only a pre-clinical one—are among the oldest and most distinguished in the United Kingdom, attracting students from all over the world.
Nowadays, almost 60 per cent of our entrants to medical school are female, which is very different from my mother's day in the mid-1930s when few women studied medicine. When women graduate as doctors, many naturally and understandably drop out for a while so that they can bring up their children. In contrast to Elaine Murray and Sylvia Jackson, I am concerned that more boys should be attracted into studying science at school, with the ultimate objective of going into medicine. I am sorry that I have caused such uneasy body language among the lady members who are present, but they are in favour of gender balance, so they must accept it in medicine as well as in politics.
I welcome the fact that our medical schools are so good that they attract students from throughout the world. However, it is important that we do not permanently deprive their own countries—particularly those in the developing world—of those students. We want to send them back because they are an important export for us.
I repeat that it is important that we attract more Scots into medicine—particularly more Scottish men.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-870, in the name of Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, on the Institute for Science Ed...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes the widespread concerns about the future of science education in Scotland; believes the declining popularity of science subjects in...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
Science education in Scotland is vital because of the tremendous contribution that Scots have made to science. Scots are responsible for almost one quarter o...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
A considerable number of members wish to speak in the debate, so I will stick to three-minute speeches.
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab):
Lab
I thank Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for initiating this debate. The fact that the Presiding Officer is already limiting the length of time members have to sp...
Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on lodging the motion.We are looking to exploit, nurture and encourage the natural curiosity of children and young...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on initiating a debate on this extremely important subject. I welcome the establishment of the Institute for Scien...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
Like others, I very much welcome this debate on science education and I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing it. I had to laugh when I heard ...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
When I was in Kenya, I was the principal teacher of a physics and chemistry department. I can assure Brian Adam that my main job was to try to keep the bangs...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the debate. Although the central subject is the Institute for Science Education in Scotland, it is also very much about school science education an...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Does the member share the enthusiasm of some of our new universities for attracting students to forensic science courses? In such courses, people who might n...
Dr Sylvia Jackson:
Lab
I agree entirely, which is why I said that science, engineering and technology should be grouped together, because applied science is important. As Brian Ada...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I thank Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for introducing the debate. The institute is fundamental to how we progress.If young people in education perceive science...
Dr Sylvia Jackson:
Lab
Does the member agree that one of the big issues is that primary school teachers often have little science knowledge, given their training and background?
Nora Radcliffe:
LD
That is one of the big issues and it is why I find the fact that primary school teachers can access the pool of expertise so exciting. That access will give ...
Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing the debate. I am an applied scientist, although I should point out that I had the privilege of burning...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
I was about to train to become a physics teacher when I began a political career 10 years ago through being elected to Strathclyde Regional Council. I had a ...
Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing this debate on an important subject. I speak in support of the development of the Institute for Scienc...
Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
I, too, congratulate Lord James Douglas-Hamilton on securing this important debate and welcome the establishment of the Institute for Science Education in Sc...
The Deputy Minister for Education and Young People (Euan Robson):
LD
I am grateful to Lord James Douglas-Hamilton for securing the debate, which has been very interesting. The Executive is always pleased to debate science educ...
Meeting closed at 18:12.