SHIFT TO THE CENTRE SI R ,— Mr, John Vatzey's article 'Shift to
the Centre' Was, as one expects from his pen, thoughtful and temperate. However, one point roused in me, as a technical college teacher, some unease. The teaching profession,' he said, 'should have a much bigger say in formulating educational policy.' At this, one began to cheer heartily, until brought up snort-
by the thought, 'Who shall be our spokesman?'
Pace Mr. Vaizey, one hopes that we will not be repre sented as holding, collectively, the views of
training college and university department of education lecturers; the comments on the academic theories of education taught there, which can be heard in any common-room of enthusiastic and ex.Perienced young teachers, who know that educa- tional psycholOgy rarely squares with classroom realitY, make this a discouraging prospect. Shall our spokesman be the teachers' associations? But, on sheer numbers, this would mean that the The of the NUT would carry the day in general. the NUT, however much it claims to be a general association, is in fact predominantly interested in the Primary and secondary modern schools, from whose
Sit the great bulk of its membership. Attitudes to the curriculum would therefore reflect
the natural concern of its members with the average and! below-average student, to the detriment of the gramtnar school and technical ptipil. By all means, let the teachers have a bigger voice in Policy-making. But let this be done by those teaching the tn.the type of school or college concerned, not by Whole mass of teacherS, irrespective of first-hand -e:,Perience..Rather than by the appointment.Of dele- gates to represent the teachers' views—delegates have a disconcerting habit of being the most vocal and
least representative—let the teachers of each section have their opinions canvassed by questionnaire. This, though slow, would -ensure that the influence of teachers on policy would reflect the majority opinions of those concerned with the issue.
LIONEL H. GROUSE 3 Luxborough Street, WI
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