Letter: Teachers were right

Sir: When the National Curriculum was introduced teachers were given an impossible task. When they complained they were denigrated by the politicians who invented a form of political police called the Office for Standards in Education to force schools and teachers into compliance. Teachers were condemned as inefficient, lazy and un-cooperative, and schools were named and shamed. Mr Blunkett has now admitted that the National Curriculum was overburdened, misdirected and is in need of urgent change to make it manageable and effective ("Blunkett gives schools more time for three Rs", 14 January). Perhaps an apology is in order.

PETER COLEMAN

Headteacher

Goodrich Primary School

London SE22