Depute Provost tests P7s' local knowledge during visit to Council Chambers

Date:

Thursday, 14 June, 2018

Depute Provost Gary Pews turned quiz master recently as he played host to P7 pupils from two local schools at the Council Chambers in Kirkintilloch.

Pupils from Balmuildy Primary in Bishopbriggs and Craighead Primary in Milton of Campsie were invited by the Depute Provost as part of an initiative to increase visibility of the Civic Office, its role and the wider role of the Council in communities.

The visits also complemented the work the children are doing in school as part of a topic on social studies and literacy to find out more about the local area and local government.

Depute Provost Pews gave the children a short tour around the Council Chambers before taking part in a question and answer session where the pupils asked questions and further developed their listening and talking skills.

Following this

session, the Depute Provost was the one to ask the questions as he quizzed his guests on the role of Councillors, the Office of Provost and more broadly on what services the Council delivers that impact their daily lives. Other topics covered included the East Dunbartonshire environment, its history, arts and culture.

Depute Provost Pews said: ‘’It was clear from the way the pupils answered the quiz questions that they had done a vast amount of research in advance of their visit to the Chambers. In fact, I would go as far as to say that after taking part in this project they will have more knowledge about the council and the area in general than many of their parents!

‘’After the success of this pilot project I look forward to welcoming more schools in the future’’.

Feeback from both schools about the visits has been very positive with children finding it interesting and teaching staff saying that it exceeded their expectations. The Depute Provost now plans to extend the invitation to all of the other primary schools in East Dunbartonshire on a rolling programme over the next few years.