I AM sure we’d all agree that it’s right and proper that the proposals by the Scottish Government to give more autonomy to our headteachers have engendered such a wide-ranging debate.

However, the assertion by the National Secular Society (NSS) that head-teachers in faith schools could use these increased powers to teach “more extreme doctrines” to their pupils is fanciful to say the least (“Threat of religious zealotry in schools”, The Herald, January 11). Is it seriously suggesting that, given additional autonomy, teachers in faith schools would be more likely to teach extreme views than teachers in non-denominational schools?

The question of separate schooling in Scotland is obviously open to serious debate and opinion. However, the continuous debunking of faith schools by the NSS seems to have become something of a “crusade” – pardon the religious connotation.

Hugh Phillips,

16 Old Bothwell Road, Glasgow.