The train wreck that is education

Sir, – The only answer to education problems in Scotland appears to be to lower standards.

Already, universities are encouraged to accept students from poor backgrounds who do not meet admissions criteria. There is talk of children (yes, children) being involved in teacher-training. In some schools, students are being deployed as teachers, and now the Scottish Government has backed advice to Scottish universities to accept for teacher training candidates who do not have qualifications in higher English and standard grade maths. This is allegedly because teacher training places are not being filled, by a significant margin.

The authorities seem not to appreciate that candidates specialising in arts subjects do need to be able to count, and that those in Stem subjects need to be able to read, interpret and write clearly and accurately.

Their plea in mitigation is that students on teacher training courses could acquire qualifications in English and maths while on-course. No wonder education standards in Scotland are falling, although the Scottish Government is trying to ensure that this is disguised by withdrawing from international comparisons.

Education is becoming a disaster area under the current government. Jill Stephenson. Glenlockhart Valley, Edinburgh.