AS ALWAYS, the summer holidays have flown by and, as you read this week’s column, the new school term is fully under way.

I hope that pupils and their families have managed to relax and enjoy the unusually good weather this summer.

It has been important to return to some degree of normality after the disruption of the last couple of years. Hopefully, we can also look forward to a more ‘normal’ school year.

Last week, many received their SQA results. Young people across Scotland – and their families and teachers – should be incredibly proud of their results. They are a credit to themselves, their schools and Scotland.

However, I believe the achievements of our young people are masking system-wide problems. This year’s results are on a reduced curriculum – yet more evidence of the loss of learning and knowledge across Scotland’s education system.

The SNP Government has no plan whatsoever to make up for these losses – nor any interest in doing the work to assess the impact. This has very real impact for colleges, universities, businesses and individuals building a career and, of course, for the country as a whole.

Ministers have reverted to a system that penalises the poorest young people in Scotland. They have done so knowingly, purposefully and – worst of all – without any plan to change the situation.

This cannot continue. As schools return, pupils, parents and staff deserve better than the same old failures and excuses. We need urgent reform to ensure that the education system works for all our young people.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the efforts of volunteers who work tirelessly to support individuals and families across East Lothian. I’ve met many of them over the summer and know how vital their contribution is to the wellbeing of our people and communities.