SIR: We often hear of the sleaze in our society and how we need to recruit people like Lord Nolan to keep it at bay.

Our education system has evolved so as to minimise sleaze by being funded by taxes in order to remain education driven.

Tom Hanley has a good point (BEN, February 26) when he suggests the proposed involvement of private business, through Education Action Zones, motivated by profit, is set to put all that at risk.

Perhaps I can help the BEN understand: In seeking profit, business is tempted to make cuts (witness the wage rates offered by teacher employment agencies springing up, some of them offer three quarters the going rate).

Will a BNFL EAZ teach the pros and cons of Atomic Power as a Greenpeace EAZ would or a farming controlled EAZ teach food safety as a medical EAZ would.

The BEN failed to grasp Cllr Johnston's view also, it being similar to Tom Hanley's, the difference being, Tom Hanley thought the principle worth more than the money.

M W Greenhalgh

Shaftsbury Avenue

Lostock

Editor's Note: No-one failed to grasp the point, We applauded the initiative to introduce a business ethos to teaching. Businesses are measured by productivity and results. Are there any parents out there who wouldn't wish the same of their children's instructors.

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