TEACHERS are key to ensuring that every child in Scotland has the opportunity to be the best they can be.

 

They guide and instruct; advise and inspire.

It's no exaggeration to say that in their hands the future success of this country lies.

It is vitally important, therefore, that the teaching profession is properly supported by local and central government.

Last year, when preparing for the rollout of the new National exams, we heard worrying noises about too much bureaucracy, high workload and inadequate support materials.

Now, the latest batch of school statistics has revealed that there are 4,000 fewer teachers in Scotland than when the SNP came into power seven years ago.

In fact, teacher numbers have fallen in each and every year they have been in government.

In response, we've heard the familiar old story that somehow Westminster is to blame.

Nonsense.

While on the SNP's watch numbers have gone down, down and down again, teacher numbers in England are at record levels - up 12,000 since January 2007.

If it can be done down south, why can't numbers be protected here?

This is the question the Scottish Government must ask itself and parents will demand a convincing answer.

Because when teacher numbers are down and the pupil-teacher ratio up, it's simply not good enough to dust off the same tired excuses and hope people buy it.

The education of our children is too important for that and we must strive for better.

Take, for instance, classes sizes in Primary 1-3.

In 2007, the SNP stood on a manifesto which pledged to reduce sizes to 18 pupils or fewer.

Seven years on, only 12.9% of children are in classes which meet this target.

In Glasgow the situation is worse still.

A mere 3.7% of Primary 1-3 pupils are in classes of 18 or fewer - the second worst rate in the country and down from 15.5% when the SNP took office.

A failure, pure and simple and no amount of bluster will hide it.

So when it comes to education, the Scottish Conservatives believe we can and must do better.

Instead of constraining choice - as catchment areas currently do - might we expand it?

Might we give parents more options about where they send their children to school and young people more choice about what and where they may study.

Instead of giving local authorities the final say - as the current system determines - might we trust our teachers a little bit more and free schools from existing, bureaucratic structures.

We may boast excellent universities, first-rate colleges and a raft of dedicated and tremendously hard-working teachers, but not all of our young people are being well-served by the current system.

Tackling this won't be easy, but it is necessary.

A just Scotland, a socially responsible Scotland is one which gives all its young people the chance to shine.

If this means taking a long hard look at the current system, then so be it.

It is time to face these issues head on and put education at the forefront of the political debate, because as last weeks' statistics highlighted, under this Scottish Government there's still much room for improvement.