However, when one reads the rest of his article, the description of her 'unbending fundamentalism' is rather ironic when he reveals his own views. His statement that 'the products of the grammar school system ... inhabit the corridors of power in virtually every discipline' is very revealing of Mr Curran's apartheid agenda.

But the most disgraceful statement in the article comes when he pleads: 'How much worse is your plan to lump everyone, from the brainy to the brainless, in the same school.' This is a shameful and highly offensive comment directed at children. Perhaps Mr Curran would elaborate and describe to us in detail a brainless child.

I note that he makes no reference at all to the grammar schools which are currently educating A grades and D grades in the same classroom.

At least we can be thankful that Ed Curran is not an educationalist and will have no role in trying to establish a system which will value all children equally in a rapidly changing world.

SCHOOL TEACHER

Belfast