In describing the present situation regarding the weighting of literature in relation to language (Letters, January 5), George Smuga conveniently - perhaps disingenuously - omits to say that 46 per cent of marks awarded to literature are in fact awarded to a compulsory element in the examination.
The Higher Still proposals have removed that 46 per cent compulsory element, reducing it to approximately 25 per cent. In other words, it will now be possible to obtain a Higher English with only a minimum amount of English literature being studied. His reference to Scotvec is an otiose smokescreen which avoids this central point, since a Scotvec qualification in Communication 4 and Literature 1 has never been the equivalent of a Higher English.
TINO FERRI 8 Clydeford Drive Uddingston
