“The concept of good and bad schools is false”

Meanwhile, away from the budget ballyhoo comes a reminder of one of the problems afflicting Scotland: the teaching unions. Today sees the publication of an eminently sensible report from the think tank Reform Scotland that advocates, essentially, a voucher system that draws on Swedish and Dutch educational reforms and would, if ever implemented, dramatically increase the range of educational choices available to the poor. This is not controversial in other countries, so why is it so frightening here? Well, look at what we’re dealing with:

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association dismissed the report’s findings. Jim Docherty, acting general secretary, added: “The concept of good and bad schools is false. There is no large variation in the quality of Scottish schools. “This competition suggests the English education system and an attempt to reduce costs.”