British teachers blamed for education woes

LONDON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- British education officials Wednesday blamed weak and inadequate teachers for the government's continued failure to meet its primary school improvement goals.

The London Guardian reported Chief Inspector of Schools David Bell said too many of Britain's teachers have too poor a grasp of English and mathematics to be able to adequately assist students.

Launching a report by the education watchdog Ofsted into the progress of the national literacy and numeracy strategies, the newspaper said Bell claims it will be "extremely demanding" to meet the goal of 85 percent of 11-year-olds achieving required English and math standards, already delayed from next year to 2006.

Bell's comments prompted anger from head teachers' and teachers' unions.

David Hart, general secretary of Britain's National Association of Head Teachers, told the Guardian, "The government does not stand a cat in hell's chance of delivering its broad and balanced primary strategy for all schools, let alone meeting its targets for achievement by 11-year-olds, unless it starts investing properly in primary education."