The restriction of subject choice in secondary schools is a scandal, and pupils in our poorest areas are hardest hit.

This SNP Government is curtailing the ability of our young people to pursue the same broad-based education that generations before benefited from including the First Minister.

57 per cent of schools provide only six courses in S4. Only 32 per cent allowed the children to sit seven subjects and just 11 per cent offered eight. This has resulted in a collapse in the number of youngsters studying modern languages and restricts their subsequent choice of Highers and Advanced Highers.

Pupils in deprived areas are less likely to have access to Advanced Highers. Of all the schools in the most affluent areas of Scotland, 70 per cent offer the choice of 12 or more Advanced Highers to study. Whereas, just two schools in the most deprived areas offer the same opportunities.

This news of the dwindling number of subjects school pupils can choose from should trigger a parliamentary inquiry.

Cllr Alastair Redman