A REFORM MSP has been blasted for sending her children to a private school in England instead of educating them in Scotland.
Senga Beresford, Reform UK MSP for the South Scotland region, said she felt she had "no choice" but to remove her son and daughter from their state school and into a fee-paying school south of the Border.
The Scotsman reports that the children's new journey to school is a two-hour round trip.
Beresford has previously supported deporting all Muslim people from the UK and has expressed support for far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.
The MSP, who was elected in last month's Holyrood election, has four children, aged 32, 25, 17 and 13.
While her eldest child had an "excellent" state school education, she said the landscape had changed markedly, adding that her youngest daughter was "learning nothing" and was unable to spell a four-letter word by P6.
She also claimed her daughter's school told her that spelling was "not important anymore", as she complained of a lack of focus on numeracy, disruptive pupils and a lack of discipline in the classroom.
Beresford claimed that she hears complaints from parents all the time, including concerns about "woke" sex education in schools and not being able to opt out.
A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesman said that the local authority respects parents' rights to make decisions about their child's education, but added that "it is important to set this within the wider picture across Dumfries and Galloway schools".
He added: "We continue to focus strongly on improving outcomes for all learners and there is sustained evidence of improvement in standards, attainment, and the quality of teaching.”
The spokesman said council schools do have a “clear and ongoing emphasis on literacy and numeracy”.
“Our schools operate within national guidance that promotes high expectations of positive behaviour and inclusive learning environments,” he added.
“Staff work hard every day to support pupils and maintain a positive and purposeful classroom experience.
“We know there is always more to do, and we remain committed to working with schools, families and partners to continue improving the quality of education across Dumfries and Galloway.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens accused Beresford of "spreading false claims" about Scotland's education system.
MSP Laura Moodie told The National: "If Senga Beresford has chosen to send her children to a private school in England, that's her decision.
"But she shouldn't try to justify it by talking down Scotland's schools or spreading false claims about our education system."
Moodie said that private education "entrenches privilege and inequality" and "allows those with the deepest pockets to buy opportunities and advantages that are denied to everyone else".
"Every child deserves the best start in life, regardless of their background or their parents' bank balance," Moodie continued.
"We should be investing in excellent public education for every child, not entrenching a system that lets a small number of wealthy people buy a big head start."
Education Secretary Mairi McAllan blasted the Reform MSP, saying it was "simply untrue" that school standards are falling.
She said: “I appreciate and respect the efforts of Scotland’s hard-working teachers while focused on driving further progress in our schools.
“That’s why I announced plans for phone free classrooms and it’s why I will deliver a new deal for our education workforce, ensuring teaching remains an attractive and rewarding career.”
