THE Scottish Government's policy of free higher education has done nothing to assist young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski (who was, ironically, appointed by the current Cabinet Secretary for Education to review higher education), free university tuition has been little more than a benefit for middle-class voters.

It has done nothing to widen access, which is the policy's stated objective. However, the cost of free higher education has been the dismemberment of further education in Scotland – the very sector which could widen access to post-school education. In the meantime, spending on Scotland's colleges, which do reach learners from more disadvantaged communities, is being slashed and the sector's attenuated resources are being redirected from poorer urban communities to rural areas. Furthermore, the Education Secretary's regionalisation strategy (embodied in the Post-16 Education Bill) will put at risk local post-16 provision in our poorer communities. Revealingly, that legislation makes no commitment to widen access to further education or to include tackling social exclusion as a policy priority for colleges.

These are the circumstances of the Educational Institute for Scotland's invitation to the Education Secretary to address this week's annual conference (apparently the first ever such invitation).

Ian Graham,

Burnside Lodge Cottage,

Erray Road, Tobermory.

WE again have the situation of teachers in Scotland threatening to go on strike ("Teachers in strike threat over increased work load", The Herald, June 4). This time the possible action is reported to be over the issue of the Curriculum for Excellence. The pupils, therefore could be faced with loss of education and parents with considerable inconvenience.

I understand that both the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary teachers Assocation (SSTA) maintain that they have two main objectives: firstly, the advancement of the highest quality and standards of education and second, the safeguarding and the promotion of the interests of Scottish teachers in all matters. They should continue to ensure that the second of these objectives does not secure precedence over the first.

Moreover, teachers should bear in mind that there are many in our society today who have been faced with the effects, sometimes severe, of the current economic downturn without the security of tenure and generous conditions of employment enjoyed by most teachers. I would suggest, with respect, that they think carefully before voting to embark on strike action.

Ian W Thomson,

38 Kirkintilloch Road,

Lenzie.