Private schools

Scotsman columnist and Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says plans to end the charitable status of private schools will affect us all.

This is simply the politics of envy. “Private school pupils are all from posh/ rich families and should be taxed accordingly.” The people who will be most hurt are, as usual, the “squeezed middle”, those with moderate incomes who want the best for their children. In olden days grammar schools would have been an option for these families, but not any more. This proposal is, put simply, a tax on ambition.

David Willey The core problem is giving people the ability to pay not to have their kids in with “poor” kids imbalances school populations and also means the wealthy and powerful don’t have to care about the quality of normal schooling. Far better for everyone to be in the same system and to create a greater mix of catchment areas.

David Sandilands

What about people like my wife and I. We are not posh or rich by any means but we both worked hard to send our son to a private school to make sure he had a better start in life than us. Many times we went without to pay his school fees. It definitely paid off on the end.

Ian Blaylock

You shouldn’t have to though. The whole better start in life thing needs put to rest and everyone should have the same access to the information they need to learn. All these Etonian idiots have been gifted jobs they are not even able to do properly. Private education as it stands should be abolished.

Barry Lee

Unless there is a special education tax I have not heard about, even childless people pay towards the education costs of other people’s children. Tax is not hypothecated. They are free to choose private schools but no one should pretend these businesses are charities and they should be taxed as such.

Robbie Craig Look at the academic achievement of independent schools – way in excess of most state schools – because most pupils come from backgrounds that are motivated to do well at school, get to university etc. Do we want to “level down” education or have centres of excellence? Its a bit like saying to Mo Farah: “You can’t train with the world’s elite in Oregon – you’ve got to stay in London and train with

Kirsteen Neale The real reason people choose to pay substantial amounts to send their children to private schools is because of the failing standards at state schoolsnot

They shouldn’t be allowed any days off to pursue this nonsense. If they take time off to do it then their parents ought to be prosecuted.

Alastair Browne Take as many days as you need kids. It’s your world, it’s your future.

Bill Brodie There were zero protests during the summer holidays.

Ali Grieve

Protest after school, when workers are going home, it will be more effective.

Tim Wight

Never heard anything over the holidays. Makes you wonder if climate change is only happening during school hours.

Margaret Cummings