SIR,

I read your article about the attempt to heap the blame on the council member Liz Hackett Pain for this report.

As usual, it is easier, far easier to look for a scapegoat then to step back and see what we have done to the learning process in the UK, and not just Wales.

Having been involved in education and community development most of my life, it is hard to get anything done without needing the input and support of politicians, and I have worked with many across the political spectrum, and I have found Liz to be approachable, and commited to her community and her position.

Recently we had meetings looking at an idea on how to help those recovering from crisis in life, and for her to even take the time to meet us demonstrates to me her heart and vision for the people she serves. So let us move on from the blame game.

I was born in Bolton, and have only lived on the border of Wales since 2001. Many schemes and projects that have worked in rural communties in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire were felt to be 'not feasible' in Wales.

The recent move towards 'free schools' and 'academies' in England, again the Welsh Assembly has refused to take part in.

There does appear to be a 'we are not doing that if it comes from England' in too many realms in the thinking of policy makers here. That is of no help to anyone.

We have grown a paperwork, targets and pressure education system which often results in making education a place of 'get me out of here as soon as possible', and not the place of adventure that it can be.

The need to get good results, to tick all the boxes, to produce the trees of paper, to ensure that the latest Government 'bright idea' is complied with steals the joy of teaching and the joy of the classroom.

These are the real issues that need to be looked at in education. Why can we not free teachers to teach?

Why does innovation have to suffer at the expense of expectation?

Monmouth, a visiting friend of mine said 'is a sleepy town that has lost its way'.

Decisions need to be made about what this town aspires to be, and arguments over planning and hindering development do not help. We live surrounded by beauty, and the town centre is decades out of date. What does Monmouth want?

What has that to do with education and the report? Everything. Do we want to keep the status quo, and the way it has always been, no matter what.

Or are we prepared to admit that for many the small minded approach and the refusal to 'think outside the box' is keeping new expressions, and new ways to do things at bay.

The report may be an opportunity to shift from blame to a new vison.

Stephen Starkie

(Whitchurch)