Back to the basics

Press, 5 July 1978, Page 20

Back to the basics

Sir, — I commend I. Leversedge’s courage in writing about the position in education while still working for these people. Everyone knows that the deficiencies and glaring illiteracy of these days would not have gone on for so long, if the inspectors had no’ turned a collective blind eye to them. The chief function of inspectors in any job or profession is to sort out the failures and prevent a recurrence of them. This has not been done and school inspectors have been silent except when re-echoing their masters. Now the ’.ide is turning, they are surreptitiously indicating more accent on basics. —- Yours, etc., V. H. ANDERSON. July 4, 1978. Sir, — Mr Cameron does a disservice to the teaching profession in categorically denying the existence of recent reservations expressed by the inspectorate con-

cerning the state of the “basics” in our schools. As those who attended the meeting in question will remind him, the underlying theme of the address was one of concern and therefore an implied criticism of some substance. It is unfortunate that some of those in the “high echelon” of education feel the present anxiety a direct reflection on their capability — such a stance only serving to make it a reality. Blaming society in general and parents in particular for the present ills serves little purpose and only alienates all parties. It is time teachers were able openly to express firmly held beliefs without fear of recrimination, ridicule, and contempt. — Yours, etc., JOHN LEVERSEDGE.. July 3, 1978.