Education in Scotland
1.I n Scotland, education is supervised by the Scottish Education Department and administered by the education committees of the regional authorities. Unlike the English system, independent “public school” play only a minor role in Scottish education. The number of state nursery schools, though increasing, remains insufficient; private schools and play groups help to fill the gap. School is compulsory to age 16. Teachers receive their professional training in colleges of education.
2. Since 1960 the number of universities has increased from four to eight. Of the original four, St. Andrews, ]the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and the Heriot-Walt University in Edinburgh, formerly technological colleges, were upgraded to universities, retaining their scientific and technological emphasis.
3. The University of Dundee was separated from the University of St. Andrews, which had some departments in Dundee. The University of Stirling, the only completely new institution, was opened in 1967. The new universities do not teach law and divinity but place most emphasis on science and technology and have close links with science-based industries in their neighborhoods.