ONCE again I read a diatribe by one of those folk desperate to rid the west of Scotland of Catholic schooling, this time from John McAleer(Letters, November 6).

Why are we introducing Gaelic schools, teaching children in all subjects in this medium, and not just in language classes? It is because, when you have belief in either a religion or in a language, it is helpful to imbue all aspects of teaching within it.

Catholic schools are state schools, and are freely open to any and all children in their area. Many Catholic schools have very high proportions of Muslims in their schools. Why? Because there is an ethos of belief and humanity in Catholic schools which is not always present in non-denominational schools.

When Catholic schools were first introduced to the west of Scotland in the late 19th century they were set up, land bought and schools built and run by the Catholic community. In the early 20th century, at the request of the councils, they gave all these schools free of any charge to the public realm so that the councils could meet their obligations under the 1918 Education act. Their only stipulation was that, under the local authority education system, Catholic schools would continue to exist while the Catholic communities wished this. One has to wonder, in 2015, what level of compensation might be owed to these communities if Catholic schooling were to be removed from the supply of schooling in Scotland.

In these days, when “choice” is the watchword, why is it that Catholic parents are constantly told by these self-appointed guardians of secularism that they are not to be allowed to exercise their choice of schooling? They don’t cost any more than non-denominational schools to run, the standard of results is equally high, if not higher, and they have a great track record in supporting children from the poorest backgrounds in our society.

Faith schools, be they Catholic/Christian, Jewish or Muslim will not be the choice for all, but in a liberal society it is the right of those people who wish to support their children in this way to have that choice.

Councillor Eileen McCartin (Liberal Democrat),

13 Greenways Avenue, Paisley.

WILLIAM Liston (Letters, November 5) agrees that Catholic children can learn in non-denominational schools – great. But then he says that what would be missing is “relevant aspects of Catholic social teaching in subjects such as English, History and Modern Studies”. What’s the Catholic aspect to learning these subjects? He also comments that “a Catholic school acknowledges and promotes Catholic Christian values” – so not simply Christian values then?

Mr Linton’s letter exemplifies the anachronism that is separate schooling based on religion. All state-funded schools should be non-denominational in character, but of course should include education in religion, faiths and cultures. Religious education, however, should be left to the parents and others outside of school.

Bill Stewart,

17 Benalder Street, Glasgow.

I WOULD like to thank William Liston for his excellent letter on the subject of Catholic schools. He makes the argument very clearly for the immediate disbanding of all denominational schools.

Alan Arnott,

Clarkston Farm, Lanark.

I AM sure William Liston (letters 5th November) is right to expect that teaching should reflect "our values". I am less sure that he should claim this moral high ground as the bailiwick of any one religion or philosophy.

I imagine it is already quite crowded up there: it's just a pity more of the angels dancing on the head of that pin do not learn each others' languages.

Bailiwick or Babel?

James Sandeman,

3 Scone Place, Newton Mearns.