The Editor, Sir:

I want to thank Martin Henry for his excellent article, 'The Govern-ment, the extortionist'.

He addressed some of the issues which, due to lack of space, I could not address in my article published on the same day.

Not only have principals of this nation been insulted by the prime minister's remarks, but so also have been the teachers. Teachers are hearing themselves being cast as corrupt and extortionists in the supermarkets and on the radio.

This is very demotivating. This more than unfortunate remark by the prime minister is polarising and is setting up tribal camps between some parents and teachers. This is not good.

It cannot be to anyone's benefit to have parents and teachers opposed to each other. Teachers have the responsibility for this nation's children during the school year for more of their waking hours than do their parents. We stand in locum parentis (instead of the parents).

War with each other

I take this charge very seriously and my teachers are charged with the gravity of this responsibility. Therefore, when parents are at war with principals and teachers, how is that antagonism and tension going to aid in the development of the nation's children?

I think the prime minister needs to be aware that his position gives the words he utters weight and power. The terms that he chooses to use either bring life or death.

In this case, it is certainly breeding conflict, which will ultimately produce the death of harmonious relationships between home and school.

To say that his utterance is unfortunate is to underplay by far the grave import of the impact of the negative and destructive force that he has unleashed upon us.

I am, etc.,

ESTHER TYSON

c/o Ardenne High School

Kingston 10