Teaching tension

The publication of the Scottish schools “league tables” in a useable form by Parentzone has not pleased the poorlyperforming education authorities. Edinburgh has described it as “simplistic”. But since their preferred alternative is no data at all, this is more a complaint than a reasoned judgement.

One must have sympathy for the teachers as individuals. The qualifications to teach in a Scottish state school are set so that Einstein, Shakespeare and Rembrandt, should they turn up, would not be allowed to teach their subjects without considerable further training.

Having achieved your qualifications it is human nature to wish to avoid being tested. That is exactly what the league tables are, a test of teachers. But our first duty is to our children, not to our teachers.

Sadly, whether this resolves towards continued decline or reform and improvement depends on which side has the greater political muscle.

DAVID HOGG Glanville Place, Edinburgh.