From the 17th century, every parish had its own school, and Scotland is home to four of the UK’s six ancient universities, established pre-1600.
Our small country became a beacon of learning, producing giants of economics, science, engineering, medicine and letters.
We prized education and recognised that it allowed anyone to achieve a better life, no matter their background.
But in the quarter of a century since devolution, first under Labour and now the SNP, Scottish schooling has atrophied.
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