Schools shake-up

Ross Martin's article ("Labour must take pains to reconnect with voters", 27 May) raises the stakes for the next Holyrood elections.

However, his opinion is scarce on any indication about what needs to be done in education. As a chair of a parent council in a state secondary school in Glasgow, I'm fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead and the change needs to go beyond the Curriculum for Excellence.

I was fortunate to send my son to a voluntary-aided school in Surrey and, as a consequence, was able to witness the difference and engage in a new way for parents to take responsibility.

The debate has already started in West Lothian with the concept of devolved school management and Labour needs to offer voters something other than a message that the same comprehensive system of education will apply.

If the deep-rooted issues of social inclusion, in Glasgow for example, are to be addressed, there needs to be a new relationship between parents of schoolchildren, their school and education authorities. Let the debate begin.

MICHAEL CONNELLY

Greenoakhill Avenue,

Glasgow