I HAVE read with interest the views of your readers regarding the current teachers’ strike and would like to bring some facts into the debate.

Firstly, the final salary pension schemes held by teachers and civil servants are not under threat and all accrued pension rights are protected. Many private sector schemes have simply been scrapped.

Secondly, the strike has been undertaken as negotiations continue, not as a final resort.

Thirdly, private sector workers have taken hits to their pension schemes, salaries and indeed working hours for many years.

Fourthly, there is the simple factor of economics to take into consideration. The current public sector pension is unsustainable. We have an ageing population and Britain is heavily in debt.

And finally, to resist these reforms would force the rest of the country to pick up the extra cost. Is that fair?

We do have some particularly inspirational teachers in Darlington, but I ask that they use their intelligence to achieve a greater understanding of the world around us.

Mrs Sam Towle, Darlington.