FOR A Government which fanfares education, education, education, it came as a surprise to this writer that the morale of headteachers is so low, as articulated by many delegates at their recent union convention at Harrogate.

The overwhelming bureaucratic red tape, and the lack of discipline in the classroom, which teachers are powerless to deal with, were the main concerns.

Another Government initiative, the truancy campaign, which cost £1 billion and hundreds of police hours has long been abandoned.

On average 70,000 pupils still skip school on any given weekday.

On the other hand, it came as a surprise that Finland has the highest pupil achievers in Europe.

Perhaps the PM and the Department of Education and Skills should ask them how it's done.

JE PLUMTREE Wroughton