MR Siret (Oxford Mail, letters, July 11), in the course of his long screed took the defence of the rebellious teachers.

The result of their “teaching” is that 20 per cent of children leaving school do not know the three ‘R’s. And for that they want more money.

Is not education a basic human right? And if teachers go on strike, should they not be prosecuted under the Human Rights Act?

RALPH LEAVIS Jourdain Road Blackbird Leys Oxford