Sir, – In the 1960s and 1970s, attainment gaps were unheard of.
Council-house kids, their parents and teachers knew that if you behaved and stuck in, the best education in the world would be drummed into you.
The Highers we focused on were maths, languages, English, history and science.
It was serious stuff but it meant that when I got to Edinburgh University I was, like many other kids from my street who were studying medicine, chemistry, civil engineering and computing, the equal of the private school kids on my university course and my path to good employment, security and health was assured.
John Swinney should populate his education summit with people like me who are still or were recently involved in education.
They are clear on what is going wrong and how to put it right.
They may even say it won’t cost more money.
I imagine they will say it starts in the home, with parents producing well-behaved, motivated children who are able to take advantage of a reformed education system.
A properly conceived named person scheme could play a big role.
It is a long road back to reality but if Scotland is to produce a skilled workforce and responsible adults able, perish the thought, to take advantage of independence, it has to be done.
Sadly, I do not think any of the above is in Mr Swinney’s head.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Make Perth parking free
Sir, – I see that there are studies to see how Perth’s retail centre can be improved.
The main reason a lot of people do not shop in Perth is the horrendous cost of parking.
Visit Cowdenbeath, where parking is free and the shops are busy.
The best tactic for Perth is to follow Cowdenbeath’s example and totally scrap parking charges.
Dr James Alcock.
Bowood House,
Cleish.
Vote leave to help workers
Sir, – I am afraid the people of Scotland have been misled.
All the Scottish political parties are telling us to vote yes to remain in Europe. It does not make sense when I want an independent Scotland.
Any Scot who has no real education or skill will remain unemployed or on zero-hours contracts.
Employers do not want the cost of training unskilled men and women when they can recruit workers from Europe or other overseas countries who will work for lower wages and poorer conditions.
Where are all these hundreds of thousands of immigrants supposed to live when there is such a shortage of affordable homes for the poor?
Tom Black.
83 Lawside Road,
Dundee.
Stop old people from voting
Sir, – I have just been having a think over recent discussions on the right of teenagers to have a vote on national and local issues.
With the European vote pending, is there an alternative?
I am well into my 80s now and have always voted when asked but isn’t it time for me and those who are in the same age group to hang up our pens over this vote?
I can hear the objections now: “I’m still perfectly capable so forget it”, or words to that effect
But while four or five years ahead is difficult but not impossible to foresee, what right have we oldies to dictate the way it should be for youngsters in 20 to 25 years’ time?
Some of us will still be around but not many.
I don’t have an exact opt-out age in mind, but 80 seems about right.
Ian Wheeler.
Springfield,
Cupar.
Monifieth has been let down
Sir, – I am glad that it is not only myself who is disgusted at the proposed closure of the Monifieth Recycling Centre.
Stewart Ellis made a fair point in Monday’s Courier regarding this. Is it really down to Councillor Donald Morrison to say whether we retain our centre, bearing in mind that he represents Arbroath East and Lunan.
I did get in touch with my SNP MSP Graeme Dey, but basically he said it was down to the local council.
In response to my own letter published on Monday, I had a phone call from a gentleman who was at a meeting in the David Lloyd centre a while ago, and he was under the impression that one of the house builders in Monifieth had talks about building a new recycling centre at the north end of the town.
I also remember there were discussions regarding this, so why was this just swept under the carpet?
I understood it was a stipulation the builders had to take on board in order to get planning for all these new houses about to be built here. I was not at the original meeting but plenty people must remember talks regarding this proposal.
Al Buntin.
7 Provost’s Walk,
Monifieth.
Recycling decision fair
Sir, – With regard to letters and comments about Angus recycling centres, your readers may be aware Angus Council in common with every local authority in the UK is under extreme financial pressure.
Let’s remember for a minute where this is coming from. It’s coming from George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is reducing public spending.
The Conservative Party wants to reduce the percentage of public spending. This will mean less to spend on health, education and services such as recycling centres.
Angus Council has had to reduce its budget by £22 million over the past three years with the expectation that we will need to cut a further £20m to £35m over the three years to 2020.
I believe that the decision made last week on recycling centres was a fair compromise. Residents of Monifieth will need to travel five miles to visit their nearest recycling centre in Carnoustie. That is entirely consistent with distances many residents of Angus will need to travel to visit such a facility. There are no easy decisions left to make and any further cuts will be unpleasant.
Cllr Bill Duff.
5 MacDiarmid Drive,
Hillside.
In praise of Jenny Hjul
Sir, – Jim Robertson’s letter, Time to let Jenny Hjul go (May 28) compels me to write in support of Ms Hjul.
Mr Robertson is correct that Ms Hjul is anti-SNP, but let us be thankful for journalists like her whose clearly presented support of the no side during the referendum campaign arguably played a part in saving us from the ghastly fate of Scottish independence.
Her consistent support for all the unionist parties at that time, however, undermines Mr Robertson’s suggestion that only the Tories are regarded by her as good.
Since the referendum, Ms Hjul’s contributions on the continuing short-comings of the SNP government have been in the interests of healthy political debate.
I look forward to continuing to enjoy Ms Hjul’s contributions to The Courier.
Arthur Davis.
The Haining,
Atholl Park,
Dunkeld.
Mr Salmond not credible
Sir, – It is regrettable that some 3.5 million young voters have still not registered to vote in the EU referendum but the antics of some politicians in the campaign will not be helping.
Young people today are savvy enough to recognise the hyperbole coming from both sides of the debate for what it is and, as a result, many are simply switching off.
Here in Scotland matters are further exacerbated by the likes of Alex Salmond who yet again in the latest TV debate sought to bring the argument back to his prime interest, namely how Brexit might provide a trigger for a second referendum.
Those calling on him to quit the Remain campaign have a point. It is simply not credible to have someone supposedly supporting staying in the EU who is at the same time blatantly using the platform to promote the break-up of the UK.
Keith Howell,
White Moss,
West Linton.