Refusal to admit they are wrong

Madam, – When appointed education secretary, some considered John Swinney a safe pair of hands for this critical role. Instead he has proven to be the minister least likely to listen to the concerns of parents or teachers, whether for example on the controversial Named Person Scheme or on the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Yes of course he has announced all manner of inquiries and investigations, but these invariably are mere time wasters, as when their results are reported back Mr Swinney finds a way to get round any suggestion that the SNP’s ‘we know best’ approach should be changed.

Now we have Holyrood’s education committee raising serious concerns over the reduced subject choice available in practice to many of our secondary school pupils in S4 to S6.

Once again the response from the education secretary is to announce yet another inquiry, but questioned on the likely outcome he admitted it is perfectly possible there will be no changes required.

When it comes to the understandable anxieties of parents and teachers on these matters, it seems the education secretary prioritises the SNP leadership’s determination to never admit they are wrong. Keith Howell. West Linton, Peeblesshire.