After seeing your front-page article on salaries for trainee teachers (TES, March 31), I am beginning to feel like a second-class citizen. I felt the BEd would offer me a more thorough grounding in teaching with extensive classroom experience. Cleary Mr Blunkett does not agree, wishing to offer his “carrot” to graduates only.

I will be 42 when I qualify. I have a student loan in excess of pound;12,000 and an overdraft to take account of childcare costs and travel expenses. I must be MAD.

Fiona Johnstone

Homerton College

Cambridge