Memories
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From an article by John Aitkenhead on A S Neill, educational reformer, in the Scottish Review, 1998
As headmaster [at Gretna] he had to keep a log recording all that was happening in the school. But there was a condition: he must not criticise the system that was employing him. Neill continued to be openly critical of the system and of the government of the day which had been promoting what was called the ‘Great War’.
He openly shared his opinions with the pupils, especially the adolescents about to leave school. He told them it was not their war, but that the government was using them. He explained that boys of their age in Germany were not their enemies. It was the governments of both countries whose plans for Empire control had them conscripting the young men.
Neill knew quite well that the parents of his pupils probably agreed with him but were afraid of the local farmers and other employers. Anyway, he was sacked and promptly published ‘A Dominie Dismissed’. His views were basically pacifist, but he said he didn’t have the courage to become a CO (conscientious objector). So he ‘joined up’ and soon found himself in the army of occupation in Germany.
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Today’s banner
Ponies on Islay
Photograph by
Islay McLeod
The woman with three
months to live was told
to move to the corridor
Barbara Millar’s person of the week
She believed hospital environments said to the patient, in effect: You are unimportant. How you feel is unimportant. You are not of value. Fit in
with us, not us with you.
Barbara Millar is a tour guide and freelance journalist
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