Full marks

Murdo Fraser’s article (Perspective, 13 November) was a one-sided attack on Scottish education. Mr Fraser singularly failed to disclose that a Conservative motion passed by Parliament last week explicitly supported Curriculum for Excellence – as the Conservatives have done since it was conceived more than ten years ago.

Our high-performing education system sees more young people remain in school for longer, with almost twothirds leaving in S6. Latest data shows a record proportion of school leavers (93.2 per cent) in work, training or study within nine months of leaving school. If Mr Fraser was interested in balance, he would have acknowledged that fact and cited the work of Professor Mark Priestley, whose analysis reports a rise in school leaver attainment and those who attained five or more passes at National 5 or better and Higher or better.

We must have a relentless focus on improvement and our National Improvement Framework sets the direction we expect schools to follow to deliver excellence and equity. I am all for a debate, for one reason – it matters that we get it right for every child. What does not help is a onesided argument that does not acknowledge the evidence.

JOHN SWINNEY Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills