I read with incredulity your article about the City Academy in Bristol proposing to open branches in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe (“Academy sets sights on branching out in Africa”, TES, October 10).

I have been involved in links with Uganda for more than 20 years and have seen them develop over that time. You cannot just export UK education to countries in the developing world; you need to spend time getting to know the people and ascertain their needs. The countries mentioned are troubled, and the issues of safety and law and order are complex.

Has Dr Priest ever read Tim Butcher or Peter Godwin’s books about the Congo or Zimbabwe? If he had, he surely would not come up with this half-baked nonsense.

Kevin Riley, Chairman, The Bujagali Trust, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex.