Looking-glass war
Sir: As a member of one of the teachers' asso- ciations criticised by Mr Pearce (6 October), I should like to comment on the substance of his complaints.
(I) The two associations are anxious to recruit new members. They are. Why not?
(2) When calling on Mr Pearce the NAS dele- gate wore a raincoat with a belt and the NUT man a Fair Isle sweater. What costume would he regard as acceptable for such a call? Morning dress? Cap and gown?
(3) The associations offer their members in surance cover. If Mr Pearce really thinks that no teacher ever needs legal aid unless he assaults a pupil there is no need for him to tell us elsewhere that he is a novice.
(4) The NAS and the NUT spend too much time quarrelling with one another. This is true, and many of us at branch level criticise our executives' attitudes over this.
Mr Pearce admits that teachers' salaries and working conditions need improvement. Surely the only way to work for this, in practice, is to join one of the associations and strive to improve its methods from within. There is no point in super- ciliously holding aloof from both. Or does Mr Pearce hope to found a third association?
Michael N. Beamish Ketches Farm, Stone Cross, Crowborough, Sussex
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