Finding the faith in our future generations

Sir, – In her response to Kevin Campbell – the Levenmouth Academy teacher and president of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association who blamed poverty for the recruitment crisis facing schools (Courier, May 18) – Angela Rennie argues that poverty is not the reason for poor behaviour in classrooms (Letters, May 21). She mentions the keen, but barefooted African children who greatly appreciate the precious gift of education. Therefore poverty acts, not as a hindrance, she claims, but rather as a driving-force towards good behaviour at school.

Having observed this in Uganda, far poorer than Scotland, she has a good point. I would agree that poverty should never be the root cause of bad behaviour; though deprivation, for example deprivation of love, will play a part. So Mr Campbell also has a point.

Mrs Rennie then invites the readership to identify causes for the “crisis in classrooms”. Firstly I think it must be said that not every classroom is in crisis. Many teachers teach well and many pupils learn well.

And as I am not an educational expert I cannot offer one main cause, or indeed one main solution. But I can make a suggestion: Christian teaching, either as part of RME, or otherwise, but not from a teacher or religious figure who does not personally believe. Rather, good quality Christian input from someone who believes the bible to be God’s word and someone who walks with God. Young people will then have opportunity to change their behaviour from someone who leads by example. Stuart Wishart. Walnut Grove, Blairgowrie.

Poverty should not be the root cause of bad behaviour in the classroom, says our correspondent.