THE reputation of Scotland's education system as one of the best in the world has left a legacy of "complacency" which is preventing future progress.

The claim comes in an interim report by the Commission on School Reform, set up last year by independent think-tanks Reform Scotland and the Centre for Scottish Public Policy.

It states: "Scottish education prides itself on having made a positive contribution to the world through the thinking, discoveries and inventions of those Scots who have had such a powerful global impact over the past three centuries.

"The past successes of Scottish education sometimes induce a sense of complacency. The unfortunate legacy of a long period when Scottish education was the envy of much of the world is that it is difficult for Scots to look objectively at present day realities."

The report – written by educational consultant Keir Bloomer, the commission's chairman – highlights recent figures which suggest Scotland is now slipping behind other countries. International studies show Scotland remains above average in reading and science, but only similar to the average in mathematics.

Mr Bloomer says the greatest threat to Scotland's ability to compete economically is the dramatic rise in the educational performance of China in international comparisons.

His report states: "The narrative that Asian education systems can produce legions of capable factory workers, but only a Western education can develop thinking is invalid. The implications of this both for Scotland's economy and education system are momentous."

The report concludes: "Better overall educational standards in Scotland are essential if we are even to maintain – much less improve upon – our quality of life and our contribution to world development.

"Scotland's schools offer a good and remarkably even quality of education. However, their measured performance is not world-leading.

"It will need to improve continuously and rapidly to keep pace with the challenges of a changing world."