IN HIS letter Nick Pratt (TES, October 8) is concerned at the current emphasis on literacy and numeracy in our classrooms and wants to open a debate on “what primary education is actually for in this country”.
The Royal Society of Arts is already conducting such a debate about education as a whole, not just primary, and jolly exciting it is too.
Their most recent update, Opening Minds: Education for the 21st Century is available from RSA (0171 930 5115) for pound;7.50.
But whatever education turns out to be for, any child who can’t read, write or count adequately is in no position to take full advantage of it.
I cannot see why Mr Pratt and your other correspondents should want to undermine the achievements of the teachers who have significantly raised their classes’ scores in the national literacy and numeracy tests. Neither can I see why they should object to politicians congratulating them.
Having spent the last 18 months trekking round the country doing literacy in-service training, I know what superhuman efforts all primary teachers have been making, and I hope that they can carry on making them.
I also hope Michael Barber and co at the Department for Education and Employment carry on noticing.
Sue Palmer
Independent literacy inset-provider
11 St George’s Road
Truro
Cornwall
