Education debate

It is refreshing to read a point of view which considers our underachievement in education with humility instead of defending the status quo.

As Frank Gerstenberg (Opinion, 4 March) illustrates, much has changed in our system since the 1960s.

It is also encouraging that someone sees our current situation as an opportunity. If we have fear I believe it is only because we want to defend something which cannot be defended if we have the interests in mind of those who fail.

Mr Gerstenberg makes many fair points when considering what can be done to improve things. There are other elements involved in the mix if we hope to create a better environment for learning. If two-thirds are failing to reach preferred levels in the "basics", we need to consider the wider motivation beyond school.

Employers can play a part when looking for staff. They could use in their advertisements the school/college/university qualifications expected of candidates. If we see employers expecting us to have Higher English, for example, then kids would begin to see a link between school and work. There is also the subliminal message to consider if we give more responsibility to schools in making each one more independent. We would experience responsibility and accountability closer to the level of the service being used.

BRIAN MCDERMOTT

Jane Rae Gardens

Clydebank