Sir, When I was a child and when my children were young there were no headlines about GCE, O or A level results. If students got their A-levels quite a few went on to university, although I don’t recall people needing extra training before starting their degree courses.

Whether possessing O level, A level, degree or nothing, the vast majority went out and got a job. They were happy to start at the bottom of the ladder and employers never complained unduly that their new employees were lacking in basic or higher skills.

What were we doing that was so wrong, and why was it changed?

PAUL MILNER, Sheringham, Norfolk

Sir, It is no surprise that the current generation of students lack literacy. They have been taught by a generation of teachers who learnt to read by the look-and-say method, and have no experience of the disciplines of analysis and parsing. This has ensured the perpetuation of another generation of semi-literate young people.

JEAN GOLD, London N12

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