We must fix the problem of home care packages

I am led to believe the lack of home care workers is due to the paltry wage and pressure of work. One would have thought that the money keeping me here would be better spent on home care staff. I am aware that Brexit has made the situation worse.

On a positive note, the nurses and all the staff here in Biggart are first class, carrying out their duties with good humour and fortitude, especially since they are nearly always short staffed on every shift. The problem of home care packages must be given urgent attention.

John M Smith, Symington

Schools golden age never existed

I was heartened to read the letter in The Herald from Professor Brian Boyd, a distinguished educationalist, vigorously defending Scottish education. Over the past few months there has been a deluge of criticism directed at our schools and at the Scottish Government. Much of this criticism is ill-founded and rarely is it backed up with hard evidence.

I would challenge these critics to illustrate when Scottish education was ever “the best in the world”? For one thing, international comparisons are of very recent construction. The Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) tests were only introduced in 2000. It is worth pointing out that the PISA programme has its academic critics who question the methodology being used and the validity of the results obtained.

And what about this lost golden age for Scotland’s schools? Quite frankly it never existed – at least not for the vast majority of Scottish pupils. When I started teaching, local authority senior secondary schools were still in existence. At their best, these schools could match and indeed out-perform some of our celebrated private schools. However, running alongside these senior secondaries were our junior secondary schools.

Conditions in these schools were markedly different. The use of corporal punishment was frequent, classes were large, usually streamed and sometimes single sex. While pupils in the junior secondaries might be leaving school at the age of 15 with some form of local certification, none of them would have sat national examinations. My mother left school at 14 with no certification at all.

On Monday evening my wife and I had the pleasure of attending the awards ceremony at the school where I had worked for over 20 years. I was astonished to learn that there are 47 languages spoken by individual students. It was heartening to listen to the headteacher outlining some of the successes achieved by the students. In addition to the excellent academic work being recognised, the school’s wide extracurricular programme was celebrated.

What was particularly impressive were the examples given where students were actively contributing to improve the educational experiences being provided by the school for those students with learning difficulties who were being successfully integrated into mainstream schooling.

The head did not shy away from the legacy of the Covid pandemic which both disrupted the students’ learning and caused emotional distress for many of them. Despite these challenges, the school had achieved a Positive Leaver Destination figure of 99.2% last year – the best in Edinburgh.

I would encourage those loudest in their criticisms to visit their local schools. Compared to my early days in teaching the atmosphere now is warm, welcoming, purposeful, supportive and confident. Rather than constant criticism, much of it unjustified, there is much to be proud of.

Eric Melvin, Edinburgh

Time to cut our losses on ferries

Surely the time has come to not only scrap Hull 802, as has been advised, but to also consider scrapping Glen Sannox before any more funds are thrown into it.

Apparently, there has been a call for a further £20m to allow the ferry to be completed and an associated announcement to delay the completion date. Perhaps we should also call for an early Scottish election to try to kick out our totally incompetent SNP government; the only problem for me is who out there is a suitable replacement worth voting for? Please all remember that we are currently paying £1m a month to lease MV Alfred, built at a cost of £4m, as against the £20m now being requested by Ferguson's yard, and no doubt this will be one of many further requests and delays. once sea trials commence.

George Dale, Beith

A simple step to looking good

I recently had the pleasure of attending a graduation ceremony in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and, as always, the interior was excellent as were staff in attendance. However, the state of the imposing access stairs from Buchanan St was a disgrace with numerous weeds growing and countless cigarette ends lying around.

Surely it is not asking too much for this to be weeded and swept regularly? This is one issue that cannot be blamed on Brexit, Covid or Scotland not being independent but I am sure many will try!

Duncan Sooman, Milngavie

Look east for the name of new prison

In the event that for some reason David G Will’s excellent suggestion for the name of the Barlinnie replacement prison (Letters , July 1 ) did not find favour , and taking account of fears of likely reputational damage to the Dear Green Place should it be called HMP Glasgow, why not instead call it HMP Edinburgh ?

Alan Fitzpatrick, Dunlop

Compassionate portrait of Glasgow at night

What a joy to read Kevin McKenna’s tender portrait of late night/early morning city centre life (“Banksy after dark”, The Herald, June 30), his brush strokes gradually revealing a moving and convincing picture never seen by those tucked up in bed, or too old to venture into the night. His eloquence evoked a vivid scene, still fresh in my mind; vulnerable struggling humanity reaching out for connection and friendship, scenes so easily dismissed but hauntingly portrayed by Mr McKenna’s compassionate voice. Thanks.

Gordon McNeish, Milngavie