How important is shorthand?

Learning shorthand is almost a rite of passage at journalism school. Everyone learns it. Not everyone is good at it. And most people don’t continue to use it. Or if one does, often one develops a new shorthand, which I did.

So when I read this story that was published in The Guardian I was shocked. I’m sure that this student has developed other ways of taking notes.  

Disabled student told he will fail course because he cannot write shorthand

MSPs condemn exam board after Kyle Gunn, who has cerebral palsy, informed he would be denied journalism qualification

Tuesday 22 August 2017 08.36 BST Last modified on Tuesday 22 August 2017 10.55 BST

A student has been told he will fail a journalism course because his disability prevents him from writing shorthand.

Kyle Gunn, 19, who has cerebral palsy, planned to do a two-year higher national diploma in practical journalism after completing a media studies course at Clyde college in Glasgow.

But in a move by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) that has been described as “deeply unfair”, he was told by the exam board that he would fail the course because he would not be able to pass shorthand tests, the Glasgow Evening Times reported.

“I already do a lot of my work electronically, so I don’t understand why there is such a big issue about this,” Gunn, from Renfrewshire, told the Evening Times. “I know a lot of other journalists and some have said they don’t have shorthand.

“It’s not that I am unable to learn it, this is something I cannot help. Journalism is something that I really want to do. It seems really unfair that I would study for an HND for two years and not come away with the qualification.”

The West of Scotland MSP, Maurice Golden, said he had raised the issue with Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, and he and Gunn’s lecturers have written to the SQA asking it to reconsider. He tweeted:

Maurice Golden MSP (@mgoldenmsp)

This is deeply unfair - disability should be no barrier to encouraging hard work and talent.

In an interview with the Evening Times, Golden said: “Kyle is a bright young man who is looking to make a career for himself in journalism but he is being told that he can’t because of his disability.

“We should be encouraging people with disabilities to pursue their dreams, not putting up barriers.”

Ruth Davidson, the head of the Scottish Conservatives, tweeted:

Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP)

CP should be no barrier to journalism. @mgoldenmsp is right to highlight Kyle's case and ask @sqanews to reconsider. https://t.co/duRuDYgiJj

The SQA said it did not discuss individual candidates or their circumstances.