Time to deal with poor teachers

As a retired professional, I read with interest the article by Jayne Dowle (“There’s plenty to learn about poor teaching”, Yorkshire Post, January 16). While I may not have always agreed with her view in previous articles, I wholeheartedly support what she is saying about teachers and would strongly support Michael Gove’s stance on dealing with poor teachers.

As a former school governor, I accept that there are many good teachers, who do work hard under difficult circumstances, there are many who clearly underperform and believe their rights are unassailable, and no-one can question their moral authority.

At an hourly rate, in terms of pupil contact, teachers must now be some of the highest paid professionals.

I would sincerely hope that headteachers have the moral fibre and backbone to grasp this opportunity to sort the profession out and ensure that pupils get the education they deserve.

From: Roger M Dobson, Ash Street, Cross Hills, Keighley.

HOW interesting it was to see that the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, is to try and get rid of the teachers who are apparently no use to man or beast.

Perhaps he could start with the headteachers and other teachers in senior management in education who are less use than chocolate fireguards.

From: Fred Wyatt, Sherbuttgate Road South, Pocklington.

I TOTALL agree and commend the article by Jayne Dowle; she clearly makes the point that no one in work likes to carry or cover up for an inefficient lazy colleague.

I was a governor of a comprehensive for a number of years and know all too well the effect a sub-standard teacher can have on both the pupils and the subjects results.

It is quite possible for both teachers and pupils to be appraised on an annual basis and then judged on the results as to whether or not they have progressed. Sadly, for years, the teachers have been “the untouchables”.

Remember pupils only get one chance and in today’s market, results matter.

From: John Watson, Hutton Hill, Leyburn.

I AGREE entirely with the letter from Peter Hyde (Yorkshire Post, January 17) regarding binge drinking and school discipline.

I have a lot of sympathy with our teachers who are trying to instill knowledge into their pupils and teach them discipline with one hand tied behind their backs, and the fact that a lot of households don’t know the meaning of the word.

But, what has happened to good manners? The behaviour of some young people today is appalling, most of them don’t seem to have any respect for their elders which was something I was never allowed to forget.

I suppose a lot of parents don’t know much better because they would be brought up in the Sixties when the rot set in. There is no way adults would be addressed by their Christian names when talking to children which is happening frequently in this day and age and has become a sign of disrespect.

I may sound old-fashioned but what a difference it makes when you come across good manners in you daily lives, it makes you think that the world isn’t such a bad place after all.

Do not vote for mayors

From: D Ingham, Kilpin Hill Lane, Staincliffe, Dewsbury.

WE are invited to say what we think about having elected mayors (Yorkshire Post, January 13).

The political drive to have elected mayors has always been and still is, inspired by Europe, in an attempt to make England like Europe, so that it can be organised by Europe in a more “European friendly” way.

It is never presented to the public like that because we are meant to be sleepwalking towards an eventual European super-state in which we will have no say, as English-style democracy will be a thing of the past.

One should vote against elected mayors because they are a foreign idea with no relevance to English politics.

Coming late to the protest

From: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

BRIAN Sturdy (Yorkshire Post, January 18) rightly points out what a superb backdrop the Alhambra and Odeon provide for the new Bradford City Park.

He goes on to suggest that more local protests are needed to prevent the loss of the great Odeon building.

While I do not disagree, it has to be said that many of us in Bradford have been protesting for several years now.

Unfortunately we have a council that takes little notice of the wishes of residents, that holds biased consultations without all the possible options, and who do not appear to take any account of what people have to say in any case. The “we know best” attitude has pervaded the council for many years.

The people of Bradford deserve so much better than the blinkered leaders that we have had to suffer for far too long.

Surely the time has now arrived for those leaders to give residents what they would prefer, rather than to have other proposals foisted upon them?

Indeed, consider whether the people of Bradford would have preferred a Leeds-style concert arena instead of a City Park? I think that the answer is obvious, and simply confirms the earlier comments about the dreadful leadership of our once great city.