Letter: The cost to schools of measles campaign

Sir: I am all in favour of the Government's campaign on measles, but I do wish that when the cost is quoted, recognition be given to the financial contribution of schools. The cost to the Department of Health works out at 29p per child. In this school we calculate lost curriculum time for each child is worth 67p in addition to clerical and administration costs of 30p. This means the school system is spending more than three times as much as the Government.

I assume an extra pounds 6.7m will be given to local authorities in recognition of our contribution. We have been encouraged by the Government to approach all our work in a proper, business-like manner and all our initiatives must be fully costed.

Yours faithfully,

A. D. McLEAN

Headmaster

King's Manor School

Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex