Open for all

the articles “Blame schools for universities’ lack of poor kids” and “Inequality in our education begins at home” (Perspective, 29 March), beg the question: why can’t every individual who wants to 
proceed to further or higher education do so without 
formal qualifications?

This is in effect the comprehensive principle common in Scottish secondary schools, extended to tertiary education. Competitive learning and examinations in secondary schools would be replaced with what “co-operative learning.” The emphasis is upon self-motivation as the key to choosing to go to college or university.

Hence, self-selection frees admission procedures from any possibility of “statistical discrimination” such as home and school post codes.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire