THE incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in July of this year marked a momentous occasion for young people across Scotland.

The right of a child to enjoy an education on the basis of equal opportunity became a part of Scots Law.

Those essential words of “equal opportunity” leave a lot to be interpreted, but I am more than confident that here in Clackmannanshire and across Scotland, large numbers of young people are not receiving the highest standard of education.

As someone who believes passionately in public schools, I have always struggled with the concept of private education. Why should those who can afford to pay receive a higher standard of education?

Between public and private schools there are large disparities in teaching standards, extra-curricular opportunities, connections and services offered to get into universities. Young people who aren’t born into a position of wealth and privilege, are being disadvantaged from the very beginning of their lives. They are having to work harder and sacrifice more than their counterparts in private education.

In Clackmannanshire, our public schools are having their libraries shuttered, departmental budgets squeezed, community learning and development services slashed and exam support axed as a result of council budget cuts.

Meanwhile, private schools continue to enjoy record splurges on luxuries, all while being the recipient of generous tax breaks funded by you, the taxpayer.

This is why I would argue that the UK Government's new bold policy to introduce VAT on private school fees is a necessary measure to take to fix the foundations of education.

It will ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share. Private education is a luxury, and it should be taxed as such.

According to the IFS, private school students are 20% more likely to enter elite universities and twice as likely to achieve A grades. The fact of the matter remains that young people who are attending private school are receiving a far superior education than those in public schools.

This is down to one key principle. Money. State schools funding is continually being constricted in Scotland. Teachers in the public school sector are dedicated to getting the best outcomes for young people, with many working beyond their hours and even into weekends to prepare resources and mark coursework. Yet, they’re being hamstrung from budgets that continue to shrink year on year in real terms.

The Scottish Government pledged to close the poverty-related attainment over the next parliament in 2021, but abandoned this promise in 2022. This is a damning indictment of how young people in the most deprived areas are being failed.

The UK Government has pledged to spend every single penny of England and Wales' share of revenue from VAT on private schools, on increasing standards in state sector schools. The Scottish Government must follow their lead.

This money (estimated to be £150 million), must not be squandered elsewhere. This would mark a beginning of change from their woefully inadequate handling of education to one in which young people are able to flourish and succeed, regardless of their background.