IMPROVED examination results in Blaenau Gwent schools is good news - but there is a long way to go until education in the county borough reaches the standards we all expect for our children.

Blaenau Gwent council was stripped of its powers over local schools in 2011 when it was branded as failing by the schools inspectorate Estyn and placed in special measures.

Commissioners were brought in to run education in the area and the latest report from the Education Achievement Service - the body set up by Gwent's five councils after three of their education departments were placed in special measures - reveals that exam results are better.

But the report also says the performance of some schools in Blaenau Gwent is 'disappointing and unacceptable'.

That must be a worry for parents and pupils in the area.

Education may be on the right road but it is clear there is a long journey ahead - and it is likely to be a bumpy ride.

The education of our young people is perhaps the most important of all the statutory roles carried out by local councils.

Whether councils are the best organisations to be running schools in the 21st century is another debate.

But it is surely the basic right of every child in this country to receive a good education?

All our futures depend on it and we look forward to a time when councils like Blaenau Gwent receive reports that no longer say 'must do better'.