No dunce hats

The facts do not back up Ben Murphy’s claims on education (Letters,4 April), as Scotland currently has the highest number of teachers in schools since 2010 and the highest number of primary school teachers since 1980, whereas in England teacher numbers are at the lowest since 2013, with the pupil-to-teacher ratio much higher down south.

Since the SNP came to power in 2007 the percentage of pupils getting a level 5 qualification or better has increased from 71 per cent to 85.9 per

cent and those getting a level 6 or better has improved from 41.6 per cent to 62.2 per cent.

The attainment gap is closing and last year’s SQA exam results showed that the number of pupils gaining university places from the poorest households has more than doubled since 2009. This year colleges exceeded targets on the number of full-time equivalent places by more than 2,400 students.

Although there is increased demand and many challenges, Scotland has higher economic growth, less crime and much better public services, particularly in health and social services when compared to the other nations in the UK. Someone must be getting on with the day job – with Nicola Sturgeon top of the class.

FRASER GRANT

Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh