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Scots Primary School children to take over Debating Chamber

News Release issued by The Scottish Parliament on 7 May 2008

One hundred Scottish primary school children will take up a seat in the Scottish Parliament's Debating Chamber on Monday 12 May 2008 as part of a nationwide competition to test their knowledge of European affairs.

Twenty-five teams of Primary 6 pupils drawn from across Scotland will answer team and individual questions in a knock-out competition which will leave only two teams battling it out for the trophy.

Deputy Presiding Officer Alasdair Morgan, who will chair the event, said:

"European legislation has an increasing effect on the lives of people in Scotland, so it's vital that we encourage young Scots to learn more about European affairs. The quiz ends three days of events promoting the involvement of young people in Europe."

The Euroquiz is run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) and has taken place annually since 1993.

Barbara Macleod of SEET added:

"We estimate that awareness of Europe has increased among 15,000 young people and their families since we began running this event. And we know that teachers have found the Euroquiz to be an excellent source for lesson plans and materials."

Quiz questions will cover history, geography, sport, culture, EU institutions and general knowledge. The prize for the winning team and their teacher is an interactive globe and a trophy.

This year's competition is being sponsored by Standard Life.

Notes to Editors:
1. The final of the Euroquiz will be held at the Scottish Parliament on Monday 12 May 2008. This year is the first time the event has been held in the Parliament.

2. The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET), a registered charity established in 1993, aims to promote and encourage education about Europe and, in particular, the European Union among students at schools, colleges and universities throughout Scotland.

3. The first Euroquiz for Primary 6 pupils was run in Edinburgh and the Lothians in 1993 as a joint event between SEET and the City of Edinburgh Council Education Department.

4. In the autumn of 2005, a trial quiz was run in four local authorities and in 2006 and 2007, 16 local authorities took part.

5. Standard Life has sponsored the competition since 2005.

6. In 2008, 25 primary schools from across Scotland will attend the finals at the Scottish Parliament. Each school has already won their local authority heat and will now compete against the winners of all the other heats in the final.

7. The 25 participating primary schools are:
* Aberdeenshire - Portlethen Primary School
* Dundee - St Ninian's Primary School
* Dumfries and Galloway - Newington Primary School
* East Lothian - Pinkie St Peter's Primary School
* East Dunbartonshire - Balljaffray Primary School
* East Renfrewshire - Kirkhill Primary School
* Edinburgh - The Edinburgh Academy Junior School
* Falkirk - Bantaskin Primary School
* Fife - Crossford Primary School
* Glasgow - St Timothy's Primary School
* Highland - North Kessock Primary School
* Inverclyde - St John's Primary School
* Midlothian - Bonnyrigg Primary School
* Moray - Craigellachie Primary School
* North Ayrshire - West Kilbride Primary School
* North Lanarkshire - Our Lady and St Francis Primary School
* Perth and Kinross - Muthill Primary School
* Renfrewshire - Wallace Primary School
* Scottish Borders - Chirnside Primary School
* South Ayrshire - Gardenrose Primary School
* South Lanarkshire - Hallside Primary School
* Stirling - Drymen Primary School
* West Dunbartonshire - St Mary's Primary School
* Western Isles - Back Primary School
* West Lothian - Mid Calder Primary School

8. The event will be broadcast over the internet, allowing pupils from the 25 primary schools to watch and support their friends.

9. Following the quiz, a reception will be held in the Scottish Parliament for the participants, teachers, parents/guardians and MSPs.

10. The 2007 Euroquiz was won by Inverkip Primary, Inverclyde.

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000

For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk