Teachers deserve more respect, says author

February 16 2011

Teachers and parents should be given more respect and acknowledgement for the important role they play in enhancing children's lives.

This is the opinion of celebrated author and former children's laureate Michael Morpurgo, who said things need to change.

Speaking at the annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture, he said: "If we are to make real progress in enriching the lives of children and enhancing their education, we have to put the people who are responsible for their upbringing first - that is, parents and teachers."

"How often I have come across a mother in a book signing queue who tells me, when I ask what she does, that she is 'only a mother'.

"And how often do we hear that tired old jibe, 'if you can't do it, teach it'? This, about what is surely one of the noblest professions."

He added that if things are to change, then we must have more admiration for those working with children.

In related news, John Coe, general secretary of the National Association for Primary Education, said teachers should be given more freedom over how they teach the national curriculum.

Posted by Andrew Jones

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