Decades of neglect in Scottish schools

No politician in Scotland should dare to make capital out of the shameful school statistics released yesterday which show our once venerated education system falling further behind other countries.

The slide in attainment and standards has come about over a generation in which every major political party in Scotland has had a hand in power in either Holyrood or Westminster. During that time our schools have been subjected to relentless tinkering, unnecessary experimentation and ruinous funding settlements.

The blame lies at just about every level of government from local councils to our national parliaments.

At least education secretary John Swinney did not try too hard to deflect criticism following the publication of the Programme for International Student Assessment figures. They may not be a perfect measure of performance but they are as good as we will get by way of an international comparison. Unfortunately, they show a relative sustained downward trajectory on the most fundamental measures of maths, reading and science.

The problem requires focus and money. Focus on quality of teaching and assessment and focus on the quality of the learning environment and classroom equipment. Significant money must be poured into the system.

Every politician knows this is what needs to be done because they have been spouting about it for decades. The time has come to see genuine progress.