I WOULD like to reply to Mr J Turner (Wednesday, April 7) "Nice work If You Can Get It".

Well, Mr Turner, there are so many people leaving this "pampered section of the working population" they must all be absolutely mad.

As a primary school teacher for some years, I will point out that at no time has there been 18 days' holiday (three working weeks and three days) at Easter. Surely you don't begrudge even teachers time off at weekends!

You may work 48 weeks a year, but how many hours a week do you work? How much time do you spend at weekends working without extra pay? You don't really imagine that teachers actually get all these holidays and have nothing to do, do you?

With regard to the "glossy motors" on the school car parks. I would like to know which schools you pass and, really, is it any of your business what teachers choose to spend their hard earned money on?

I would like to point out that teachers do not turn out "illiterate yobs and yobettes". Schools and teachers work hard to try to encourage children to be responsible members of society and not become "society-wrecking children".

Most people who do a degree through the OU are either working full-time or bringing up a family -- some might even be doing both. Open University Degrees are well received within many working areas of life.

If teaching is such a doddle, Mr J Turner, why don't you, as the football hooligan says "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough"! I don't think you would last two minutes.

Mrs S Miller

(BA Open University)