BRIAN Donnelly's article regarding reserved places for Catholics at denominational schools in the Falkirk Council area once again highlights the inappropriateness of having a divided state education system in Scotland in the 21st century ("Discrimination claims as council keeps school places for Catholics", The Herald, October 17).

It is not enough to say that councils have a legal duty to offer denominational education, just because the Catholic Church handed over its schools to the state in 1918.

The two great legacies that could have taken root with this, as well as the Church of Scotland handover in 1872, should have been to guarantee provision of voluntary religious observance if requested, and the compulsory provision of religious, moral and philosophical studies in all tax-payer funded schools.

Christianity warrants greater coverage than other religions simply because this is a reflection of religious affiliation in Scotland at present. Crucially, Reformed and Catholic views should be given the majority of coverage.

I support independently-funded faith schools. However, when you have a situation where taxpayers are obliged to fund 377 schools in Scotland which present one faith position as being superior to all others; which discriminates against teachers in religious education, guidance and senior management posts; and which prevents children attending a school in their area, whilst at the same time obliging their parents and carers to pay to be discriminated against, it's clear that something is far wrong with our education system.

It's time for comprehensive education to truly be comprehensive - that is, all-inclusive.

B Stansfield,

8 Haggs Gate,

Glasgow.