Letter: Shephard's pension changes mean mass exodus of teachers

Sir: It is disingenuous for Gillian Shephard ("Early teacher retirement is not a right", 9 January) to dress up her proposals on teacher pensions simply as putting "early retirement back on a sensible footing".

The timing of the changes is leading to an employer-encouraged mass exodus of over-50-year-olds who will leave teaching before 1 April 1997, while they are still entitled to a pension. The exodus will play havoc with the education of students and pupils, especially those facing examinations in June and July; and put extra financial pressure on the Teachers' Pension Scheme, when the purpose of the proposed changes is to reduce such pressure.

SEB SCHMOLLER

Sheffield