MSP speaks out as PISA results confirm decline in Scottish education outcomes

Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle has said that the "ladder of opportunity" that Scotland's education system has traditionally given to young Highlanders is in danger of being removed by "incompetent" policies introduced by the SNP government.

The Scottish Conservative MSP said that the latest PISA results show that Scottish students have fallen significantly behind their English peer group in maths, reading and science.

"The SNP's experiments with Scottish education, such as the so-called Curriculum for Excellence, have been a resounding failure. Despite the best efforts of our teachers, the downgrading of expectations and a lack of emphasis on academic performance, has led to our schools falling behind those of other countries, including England.

"Scotland was once famous for the quality of its education, which gave unparalleled opportunities for bright young Scots to climb the ladder of opportunity, especially from here in the Highlands and Islands. But the result of the SNP's experiments with trendy educational theories is plain for all to see now that we have the PISA comparisons.

"We need to see a rapid reversal of policy - one that focuses on educational outcomes and the instilling of knowledge - otherwise we will do permanent harm to Scotland's economic prospects and the potential of our young people."