Letter: Learning to read

Sir: I write as a retired teacher with 14 years experience in an inner London primary school.

The Government's idea that poor teaching is responsible for low standards in reading (report, 8 May) is too simplistic. Owing to a dearth of nursery schools, bad housing conditions and poor parenting some children, aged five, arrive at school with a lack of motivation and poor concentration.

I deplore the Government's lack of funding to the Reading Recovery Scheme which enabled these children to have the individual attention they need.

Dorothy E Ayisi

Storrington,

West Sussex