Letter: School selection

Well done Allan Massie ("What is so wrong with selection?", 22 September). He was absolutely correct when he observed that an element of selection should find its way into the allocation of places for pupils at state schools.

However, he is quite wrong in thinking the school should have any part of it. Both school and state have vested interests incompatible with the interest of the pupil - the former in maximising their "league table" position; the latter in political ideology and the creation of the acquiescent voter.

Selection should be wholly in the hands of parents, with priority given in inverse proportion to family income - eg the greatest income gets the least choice - and without regard to catchment area.

If this drives the wealthier into private education then let it - I would rather them there than using their financial clout to squeeze out our poor. The day that our most "desirable" stateschools find their school rolls dominated by children from Craigmillar, Sighthill and Wester Hailes will be the day that we take a giant step forward. The first European country to fully educate its underclass will dazzle its economic competitors. It would be a freedom worth fighting for.

DAVID FIDDIMORE

Nether Craigwell

Calton Road

Edinburgh