4 AUGUST 1990, Page 21

Coarse-work

Sir: May I, as an ex-teacher, make my contribution to the education debate with some points rarely mentioned by the teachers' unions? Many teachers, of var- ious ages, leave the profession because they are not prepared to tolerate the indiscipline and the filthy language com- mon in many schools. In spite of teacher shortages, many teachers spend half or more than half of their working week not teaching at all, but discussing family prob- lems with parents.

James Balneaves

5 Gratton Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire