5 March 2025, 18:10 | Updated: 5 March 2025, 19:42

By Russell Findlay

Scotland’s education system was once world renowned.

From the 17th century, every parish had its own school, and Scotland is home to four of the UK’s six ancient universities, established pre-1600.

Our small country became a beacon of learning, producing giants of economics, science, engineering, medicine and letters.

We prized education and recognised that it allowed anyone to achieve a better life, no matter their background.

But in the quarter of a century since devolution, first under Labour and now the SNP, Scottish schooling has atrophied.

Attainment in science and maths are at a record low and we’ve plummeted to no better than average in international league tables.

Other countries, including England, Ireland, Belgium and Estonia, have overtaken us and the gap keeps growing.

Just this week it was revealed that one quarter of 11-year-olds in Scotland cannot read, write or count properly.

And........

© LBC