150 High School students and teachers from six local schools across Stirling and Clackmannanshire took part in a question and answer session last week with a range of politicians including Keith Brown MSP and Anne McGuire MP, as part of a Modern Studies conference hosted by the University of Stirling.
The event, which was being supported by Stirling Council youth services, aimed to promote wider activity across schools in advance of next year’s independence referendum.
The conferences considered the themes of poverty, welfare and attitudes to the vulnerable and also devolution, referenda and political representation. These were chosen to fit with topical issues and themes in the Modern Studies syllabus.
Keith Brown MSP said: “The event was well planned and it was clear that the students found it very informative and worthwhile – it’s very often occasions like this that can spark a lifelong interest in politics for a young person.
“It was clear from the searching questions asked by the students that they have a keen grasp on current affairs and are eager to learn more about issues such as the referendum where many of them will have the opportunity to vote for the first time.”