For 30 years our children have been the victims of a truly vicious circle. Teachers have seen their social standing and morale destroyed at the same time as the need for education in a global economy has become ever more evident. Teachers have ceased to have faith in themseves and the public has lost confidence in them. And if teaching was held to have let down modern Britain why should teachers be rewarded with more money? At last it seems as if this futile, self-destructive national failing stands a chance of being cured.

Saturday, February 3