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Outrage after primary school bans popular playground game TIG in move blasted as a ‘farce’
Bearsden Primary School in East Dunbartonshire has temporarily stopped pupils in Primary 4 to 7 from playing tig after reports that rough play had caused injuries. The head teacher says the pause will give staff and pupils time to agree rules for safer play, while younger children can continue playing.
The restriction is due to last two to three weeks. A parent criticised the school for penalising everyone for the behaviour of a few, and Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher called the move absurd. The council’s chief education officer said the school acted to protect pupils’ safety and wellbeing.
In short
- Bearsden Primary has paused tig for pupils in Primary 4 to 7.
- The school says rough play has caused injuries.
- Pupils and teachers will agree safer rules over two to three weeks.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A temporary pause could be a proportionate way to prevent further injuries while staff and pupils agree clear rules for safer play. The school has a duty to protect children, and a short, age-specific restriction may give it time to address rough behaviour without ending the game permanently.
The case against
Stopping all pupils in Primary 4 to 7 from playing tig may unfairly penalise children who have played safely because of incidents involving a few. A school could instead enforce rules or supervise play more closely, preserving a popular activity while responding directly to the behaviour that caused concern.