THE lad o’pairts is part of Scotland’s cultural identity – a bright young man of humble origins who studies hard and rises from his working-class roots to a position of high esteem.
Popularised by Kailyard fiction, this character – who needs a modern-day female counterpoint – is an element of the way the country perceives itself, an apparent example of our world-class education system which levels class and creates a path for the best from the bottom to the top.
But, sadly, the truth is that far too many of our brightest young people fail to reach their potential.
The statistics are startling – those from the poorest 20 per cent of areas are four times less likely to enter university than those from the wealthiest 20 per cent.
University is not the only path to success, nor should it be, but background should be no barrier to access.
Yesterday’s recommendations by the Commission on Widening Access, which include entrance targets, have been described as radical.
It is to be hoped they are, because without serious action to remove economic, institutional and aspirational barriers, we will fail some of our brightest and best.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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