BEHIND TENEMENT CURTAINS

50 years ago the greatest MP Scotland never had wrote about the children in darkness who with formal education and opportunity might become the world beating engineers, the discoverers of the cure for cancer, the scientists, the pioneers, the saviours. He recognised that our wee country with its comprehensive education free for all had the potential to construct a nation confident and capable, were we not hobbled by those with ill intent. 

Those were the days when councils the length and breadth of Scotland, regardless of political hue, believed in the transformational motivational power of education.

That self same political stalwart led the UCS sit in and inspired a few generations – he blazed that trail proving that people power counts for very much. 

The most lauded speech in Scottish political history remains his words about the rat race. And it is well past time that those words echoed around Scotland’s schools, playing fields, pubs and clubs once more. 

I’m forced to write these words tonight especially as today Glasgow City Council took a decision to reduce by almost 200 the numbers of teachers employed within the city of Glasgow. This folly arises in the midst of misdirected attempts to convince that somehow the attainment gap has shrunk and the FFM fulfilled a legacy designed to raise her profile.

In truth, we know that poverty is the greatest driver of inequality and we know too that education is one route out of poverty. Instead of cutting teacher numbers, our government should increase and motivate our educators, including those recently retired who may feel determined to remain in the game. An educated population is a motivated and engaged population who break down the barriers, breach the walls and construct the case for knowledge. That is power. That power will free our country. If not, the rat race will resume.