EDUCATION

IT is with some concern that I read of the proposals suggested by Estelle Morris. While accepting that the current system allows little freedom of choice, I am very concerned that the changes suggested will disadvantage many pupils.

For the most able, the suggestion is that they bypass GCSEs in some subjects and go straight to AS level.

I ask the Secretary of State to explain the purpose of this acceleration. Is it to allow students to enter university at an earlier age, or to leave school at 17 and enter the job market, or to have a gap year? I am a firm believer not in acceleration, but enrichment.

The suggestion for choosing vocational GCSEs at 14 raises again the spectre of a two-tier system at 16 reminiscent of GCE/CSE in the past. How many pupils at 14 are really ready to choose between an academic and a vocational path, and has the Secretary of State considered how a youngster could recover from a wrong choice made at this early stage?

It is suggested that a modern foreign language should no longer be compulsory from 14-16 but should instead be introduced into primary schools from age seven. While I agree that introduction at an early age is an admirable aim, at present there are simply not enough teachers available.

In other European countries, all children are expected to be fluent in at least one language other than their own. In the UK there is a lingering feeling that only linguists are capable of this. I am sure the average British child is no less competent than its European counterpart and, instead of downgrading the status of language learning from 14-16, we should be encouraging most students to carry at least one foreign language through to at least AS level. Then perhaps we could produce a pool of teachers who could teach a foreign language in primary schools. - HC Hamilton, Headmistress, Polam Hall School, Darlington.

BLOODY SUNDAY

IT is very difficult to see what will be the outcome of the tribunal into the Bloody Sunday shootings, especially as there will be no inquiry into the deaths of thousands of others who have died in the troubles in Northern Ireland.

What is certain is that the taxpayers will have to foot the bill, which will be more than £100m.

This is not surprising when we learn that two of Tony Blair's pals, Michael Mansfield QC and Sir Louis Blomfield-Cooper QC, are being paid £1,900 per day.

Whoever coined the phrase Tony's Cronies was spot on. - R Elliott, Darlington.

RAY MALLON

IT is interesting that the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Ashok Kumar, is publicly distancing himself after long-time support from sacked Supt Ray Mallon, since Supt Mallon admitted to 14 charges which include inappropriate use of Class A drugs by serving police officers.

It is now time for Mr Mallon to stop pretending that everyone who dares to challenge his involvement in serious disciplinary transgressions is the enemy within, and accept that the illegal drugs trade in this country creates misery for thousands and unnecessary early death for many.

Will he now tell the people of Middlesbrough the truth about his involvement which is now clearly identified on public record, thanks to the determination of Cleveland's Chief Constable Barry Shaw, to put the public record straight? - J Harrington, Middlesbrough.

MR Kelly from Crook (HAS, Feb 18) stated Ray Mallon is a man of integrity.

He should cast his mind to the scores of men, both in the past and still serving prison sentences for crimes they did not commit, and who would be given parole if only they would admit to something they were innocent of, but refuse to do so. Unlike Mr Mallon, who was suspended on full pay and slept in his own bed. - Alan McKimm, Crook.

AFTER reading the letters (HAS, Feb 18) concerning Operation Lancet, it is, by a strange coincidence, that we witness the extraordinary situation of the media inviting their readers to clamour for the release of Barabbus while the central question, what is the truth?, remains unanswered.

In his derogatory remarks on the character of Mr Mallon, the Chief Constable, Barry Shaw, gave his opponent the opportunity and some financial assistance to sue him for defamation of character.

Mr Mallon's reluctance to accept the challenge seems to imply the reason he gave for resigning from the police force now appears to be an excuse for not revealing the truth.

If, for instance, Mr Mallon won a mayoral election with a small majority but, with a minority of the votes cast in his favour, would he class the result as an endorsement by the population of Middlesbrough of his integrity?

We can only hope that, in the not too distance future, the people of Cleveland will experience a bright new dawn after a long stormy night. - Thomas Conlon, Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor.

POP IDOL

THE Pop Idol shows have shown how much hidden talent we have in this country, a change from the names who live on the past and are still performing regardless. - N Tate, Darlington.

SLEAZE POLL

THE result of our online poll over whether Tony Blair's Government is more sleazy than its Tory predecessor, was 67 per cent yes and 33 per cent no.