Going backwards is generally accepted as being undesirable. In most cases, we are better off concerning ourselves with the future rather than the past. There are exceptions to that rule, however, and it has been clear for some time that one such exception relates to Scottish education. In our school education, in particular, it is time for us to take a step back in order that we can then take two steps forward.

Scotland’s schooling difficulties were brought into focus again yesterday by the UK Government’s Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill who, during the annual conference of the economy-focussed member organisation Prosper, lamented the number of children leaving school without any qualifications. This is, of course, part of the rough and tumble of politics, next week’s by-election, and the upcoming battle for Bute House between Labour and the SNP. Nonetheless she has a point.

Scotland has, in theory, a strong economic future, but it is a future that demands a workforce with a considerably high level of education and skilling. Our growth industries - renewables, primarily, but also life sciences, tourism, food and drink and a range of rural-based activities including farming, fisheries and forestry - need good people, from welders to lawyers to engineers to scientists.

Read more by Andy Maciver

Our current educational performance is jeopardising our future economic prospects, yet it is far from clear that they will have them and, bluntly, the educational establishment seems disinterested in doing anything about it.

For those who want to cut through SNP and Labour politicians shouting at........

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