Teachers call for break from ads

Advertising can be found on school jotters

Teachers have called for a strict code of practice to control advertising in schools.

They were debating the issue at the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) annual congress in Aviemore.

Young people are often the target for advertisers and corporate sponsorship has been creeping into Scottish schools.

Adverts can be found everywhere from canteens to free jotters supplied in classrooms.

Lack of resources

And big name companies such as Tesco, Walkers and Cadbury encourage pupils to collect vouchers in return for teaching materials.

But delegates at this weekend's SSTA conference were being told it is the thin end of the wedge.

The Scottish Executive will be asked to provide better resources so schools do not have to rely on voucher schemes and private sponsorship.

And delegates will be asked to back calls for a strict code of practice to protect pupils from advertising in school.

Robert MacMillan, from the SSTA in Fife, said that there was a lack of resources in schools.

"It is because of that lack of resources that companies are exploiting pupils and exploiting the gap in resources that we have," he said.

"I think it is of great concern, first of all in terms of lack of resources.

"Also if it is the case that the corporations wanted to provide these resources then there are various other ways that they could provide them."