I agree with the writer about the grading system. The current low percentages required to pass vital subjects are laughable and lead one to question the motive behind this dropping of standards. Does the department of education have a hidden agenda?

But I do disagree about the proposed reward system. A great wealth of material exists, generated out of decades of research, on which factors determine intelligence in children. Is it genetic or the environment? It appears that both play a role.

Keeping this in mind, would it be fair to hold the teacher fully responsible for a child's performance? The child's environment is not exclusively the school. There are numerous factors and individuals who contribute to moulding the child.

A wonderful, caring and supportive teacher's work is undermined by an abusive or impoverished home environment. Parenting style is also an important variable. Parents are consistently abdicating their duties and placing the burden of raising the child on the teacher. All too often we hear: "Ma'am, do what you want to do. I give up with him."

Raising two children in the current socioeconomic climate is difficult. In addition, we teachers have to raise and educate another 42.

My son in now in high school. This was the top-performing school in our town - a public school. He has 45 children in his class. Department officials are insisting that the principal increase the numbers per class to take in another 100 or so pupils. Because there was no space, these officials stated that three pupils must sit at a table designed for two. How can the teacher be held responsible for these children's performance?