PETER MULLEN may approve of free schools, some set up by creationists, teachers of transcendental meditation and various other religious groups, but why does he have to attack teachers (Echo, Sept 13)?

What evidence does he have that many are illiterate, know no grammar or listen to hideous pop albums? As if there was something wrong with pop music, which gives pleasure to a large number of people.

If any teacher had written “how the hell” in a report a senior colleague would have returned it to them straight away.

Teachers, who are now better qualified than ever, are not responsible for all the ills in society, be they illiteracy, this summer’s riots, dumbing down, indiscipline or immorality.

Most are hard working, professionals, who have seen improvements in discipline and a massive rise in standards, from 36 per cent of pupils gaining 5 A to C grades at GCSE in 1990 to 75 per cent in 2010.

He seems to suggest that we would be better off in the 19th century when education was not free to all, but I am sure the vast majority of parents and pupils would not agree with him.

Robin Lees, Barnard Castle.