Attainment gap conundrum

Sir, – Some are suggesting that the SNP’s hostility to independent schools is fuelled by horror at the prospect of children being educated outside of the manifold wisdom of the Scottish Government.

This is not true. Education Scotland vigorously enforces the state’s philosophy of education on independent schools, so the SNP can be confident that every child in school in Scotland is well and truly under their influence.

So what does fuel their attack on independent schools?

As with every other SNP education policy, it is all about “closing the poverty-related attainment gap”.

This ideological drive for equality of outcome can be fulfilled by boosting performance in less wealthy areas, but this is proving difficult – announcing yet another injection of cash into these schools makes a good media splash, but progress is elusive.

So, how about closing the attainment gap from the other end?

Independent schools provide an excellent education for the wealthy – thus widening the attainment gap.

So, do away with them, and the holy grail comes closer to their grasp.

The poorest kids won’t be doing any better, on average, but at least the wealthiest won’t be doing as well.

Mission accomplished. Alien to the SNP is the idea that highly educated people are an asset to Scotland, boosting the economy, fulfilling vital functions and enriching cultural life.

Higher academic standards anywhere are always a good thing.

Fair enough, pay particular attention to areas of need, but Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson are wrong: an ideological drive for equality of outcome is counter-productive. Richard Lucas. Leader of the Scottish Family Party,

272 Bath Street, Glasgow.