Teachers

Absurd policies on justice, health, national forest sell-offs and welfare are announced and then reversed under the guise of an administration that listens.

However, the antics of the ridiculous Michael Gove are uniquely toxic. His suggestion that any parent clutching a Criminal Records Bureau check can pop into school and strike break by taking over classes plumbs new depths of the nonsense.

Now, it is well established that the public’s regard for politicians is deservedly negligible, but it is disturbing that the thoughtless Gove should attempt to corrupt the valuable relationship between parents and teachers in this way.

This shabby little man has frozen teachers’ wages, and now wishes to jack up their taxes in the form of pension contributions and make them work until they are 68.

I trust parents everywhere will back their children’s teachers, not undermine them.

As an ex-picket line striker himself, Gove has expressed regrets at his past. Anyone who renounces in this way his own youthful integrity should be dismissed from the table of discourse immediately.

The blessed Michael is simply not up to the job.

Rob Meggs, Hartlepool.

WHEN teachers decide to take action, such as the forthcoming strike, they don’t do it unless there is good reason.

The joint letter by the ATL and NUT representatives that puts the reasons for taking action is well presented (HAS, June 27).

Parents and the rest of the public should take note.

Successive governments have used the teachers’ pension fund as a deposit of money they could siphon off for other uses when needed.

This Government has taken the attitude of penalising as many people as possible while continually blaming the deficit.

The teachers’ pension scheme has worked very well over a great number of years and any alterations have been fairly negotiated between governments and the unions.

Now the Government is wanting teachers to pay more into the scheme, work longer, and receive less pension when they eventually are able to retire.

And now the Education Secretary Michael Gove has uttered the most disgraceful statement about the professional aspect of teachers.

How can you respect an education minister if he does not behave in a professional manner himself? As for parents keeping schools open, then my advice is don’t even think about it. If you do make sure you are heavily insured in case things go wrong.

Threats issued by governments are not part of the democratic process. David Cameron would do well to calm his ministers down and begin sensible negotiations.

Arthur Butters, Stockton.

EDUCATION Secretary Michael Gove has views on what needs to change in education which are constructive.

He is right to look at the global picture, and to point out that if we do not make changes we could fall behind.

He readily accepts the value of teachers and that they should be recognised as a profession.

They need to play their part because, if we do not press ahead and improve standards, we shall fall behind such is the intensity of world competition.

I wish that he realised teachers, including those who voted for strike action, would be happier if they felt that they did not have to and would get a fair settlement over pensions through negotiation alone. He is as wrong in wanting to pit parents against teachers.

The greatest change needed in the country is the poverty of ambition in some homes and neighbourhoods.

It is a social problem and it undermines all the efforts of teachers to ensure that pupils and students receive the education they need to succeed.

Furthermore, it should be acknowledged that many good schools are run by education authorities. The contribution made by local government should not be undermined.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.