EDUCATION-WISE I come from the age of dinosaurs. The first hurdle in the dark ages was at the end of primary school when a written examination determined whether you went into the big school academic or the technical stream. If you went to the former after lots of exams and if you were smart enough you had the chance of going away to university; there if you could remember facts just until you sat the exam, stayed sober long enough and worked your socks off you might get a degree, the chance of it being an Honours first class being a slim one. In short, the education system was like Everest, the chances of reaching the summit slim most didn’t even get to Nepal never mind base-camp.

I read today that four out of 10 school leavers are going on to university or take a degree-level course at college. It strikes me that intellectually the human race must have evolved substantially in the last 60 years; either that or tertiary education has changed dramatically from what it used to be. And yes, the policemen are getting younger and smaller.

David J Crawford, Glasgow G12.

I WAS surprised to read your report that a recent poll had showed that 20 per cent of participants believed that the University of the Highlands and Islands was the least exciting place in Britain to get a degree (" ‘Most boring’ university", The Herald, June 19).

We have much higher than average success rates for completion and student satisfaction.

We have large numbers of students gaining access from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We offer many opportunities including the study of Gaelic on Skye amongst native Gaelic speakers, the study of Archaeology in Orkney with access to internationally important digs, to be part of the research into energy in North Highland next to our expanding offshore renewable industry and to study Adventure Tourism in the West Highlands in our spectacular landscape.

We offer a chance to enjoy a real learning experience rather than the "virtual studies" of the old universities.

Our students may not get the full on "rock and roll student lifestyle", including the negatives, but they will have access to great festivals, great experiences and will make friends in real communities.

What is not to like?

Dr Michael Foxley,

FE Regional Board Chair UHI, Fort William.

I READ Paul Shaw's Agenda article ("Could an International Baccalaureate work for us?", The Herald, June 19) with great interest. I wonder if Mr Shaw knows of the great work being done in the five development education centres throughout Scotland. They are partners of the International Development Education Association of Scotland and provide resources, in-service training and encouragement to educators at all levels in the methodologies he and his wife experienced on their visit to a school in Kuala Lumpar.

Many Scottish teachers already aspire to the practice and process he described in his article, although it is obviously inappropriate to compare one private educational establishment overseas with the width, variety and complexity of a national education service.

Nonetheless it may be of interest and advantageous to Mr Shaw and his wife to see what is being done at their own "back door". It certainly would be less expensive than a trip to Malaysia.

Molly McGavigan,

Chair, (on behalf of Board of Trustees), West of Scotland Development Education Centre, Bridge of Weir.

MAY I take this opportunity to thank you for printing my Agenda article. Can I also thank the online commentator correcting my statement that the Primary Years Programme is Inter-Disciplinary when in fact it is Trans-Disciplinary.

Paul Shaw, Dunblane.