Choice words

Apart from the fact that any school has a set capacity, there is the issue of transport.

The government and councils strongly favour most school trips being made on foot or bicycle and, where this is not possible, by public transport.

Improving health is one concern. Reducing car traffic on roads is another. The “school run”, which is during peak traffic times, is a major contributor to transport problems.

Allowing choice of school would mean longer journeys, many of which would need to be made by car.

Since in poorer areas many households don’t have a car and others only one, which is used for the trip to work, few pupils living in these areas would only be able to access more than one school.

Thus choice as such would be open only to the more affluent households.

This is not a solution to the problems of inadequate schools. Lack of parental support and pupil motivation are the main cause of these.

Many have little or no choice about where they live and work or what standard of housing, food etc, they can obtain.

For them, choice of school is not an issue.

Ms Davidson’s idea only shows how out of touch with the reality of many people’s lives her party remains.

John Munro

Buccleuch Street

Glasgow