HOW interesting it was that in the week that the debate about the actions of the Colne Valley High School head teacher was filling your letters page the teachers were on strike. Interesting, because of the fact that so many letters you have printed mentioned the word “respect”.
If one actually looks at the reasons the teachers gave to justify their strike and the totally unacceptable amount of disruption it caused to pupils and their parents it is difficult to imagine any reason to respect them whatsoever.
Firstly, they went to an independent salary tribunal and chose to ignore its recommendation.
Secondly, they came out on strike when a tiny proportion of the NUT membership actually voted for strike action and the ones who didn’t vote were too gutless to keep their schools open.
Thirdly, the NUT leaders attempted to justify their actions as being in some way aimed at improving education and somehow benefiting pupils, whereas the truth is that the only things on their minds were lining their own pockets. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all guarantee our salaries against future inflation, which is exactly what the teachers are trying to do?
Teachers are now well paid, enjoy lengthy holidays (during which they really are ‘on holiday’ and not engaged in school work, as they would like us to believe) and would seem to have very little to whine about.
Teachers are forever telling us they are professionals, but they give the impression of being anything but. When we see them in our schools or on television they often appear scruffy, the men invariably unshaven and almost indistinguishable from some of the riff raff that they have to teach.
Open-necked shirts, the odd earring and “getting down with the kids” has replaced the suit, the tie and the discipline and respect that came with them. An exceptional teacher is now the exception, just as easier exams have become the norm, with the annual ritual of “best ever GCSE results” splashed across the media.
I take my hat off to Ms Gormley. At least we have one local teacher who has her head screwed on the right way and good on her for laying down the law. The best way to deal with these students is to exclude them until their parents get sick of them being at home and learn to discipline their children themselves. Laura from Holmfirth wrote in your letters page: “If the pupils don’t like the teacher they just won’t co-operate in the slightest.” I almost fell off my chair laughing!
I suppose this all goes to prove that “those who can do while those who can’t teach”. Unless they’re standing outside the school with a daft placard thinking about their next lengthy holiday!
let down parent
Money-seeking wardens
I HAVE every sympathy with your reader Amanda Rawlinson after reading the article on her bizarre parking fine at Springwood car park. I have had a similar experience at Springwood, for whatever Kirklees Council says, the parking bays are not clearly marked.
I feel that there has been a shift of punitive measures since parking was transferred to local authority control and, despite denials, they are revenue raising. You have only to witness the pack of traffic warden revenue raisers on a Sunday in town; easy pickings as they catch out the unsuspecting. The warning signs themselves have been confusing.
I would like to relate my story. I purchased a valid parking ticket, witnessed by a traffic warden. When I returned to the car I received a parking ticket. The ticket I purchased had flipped over, perhaps when I shut the door. I appealed without success and sent them a cheque for £30, which was the statutory fine last year.
They sent the cheque back, saying they wanted £60. I wrote back saying why should I be penalised for protesting my innocence. I thought nothing more until a bailiff called at the house last week with a bill of a £120 for the fine. I said I wanted to contest it and the bailiff told me to write to Kirklees. But several days later he returned, adding another £100 to the bill and with the threat that if it was not paid they would seize my car.
There is no justice and what happened to the suggestion by the Government that local authorities should use discretion with parking fines? Have any readers any suggestions of the recourse we have in challenging these parking decisions?
name and address supplied
Slowly and clearly
I AM a senior citizen aged 85 (nearly 86) and also hard of hearing. But I do enjoy seeing and, hopefully, hearing the weather on TV around 6am each morning. Then I know whether I can go out or stay in.
It is always the same lady who gabbles away very, very fast so that I, and maybe no-one else, can hear a word she says!
Please can it be someone who speaks clearly? By the way, Huddersfield and Yorkshire are never mentioned; it’s mainly Scotland and always Wales.
EC
Oakes
