Modern teaching methods – do they work?

Sir, – Prof William Reville's article is eminently sensible and logical ("The reason why modern teaching methods don't work", March 2nd). If the current primary school modus operandi for delivering the curriculum is so flawless, why are so many pupils entering secondary education seriously deficient in basic literacy and numeracy? Likewise, why are so many secondary students presenting at university who do not have the capacity to write a basic essay when submitting their assignments?

University lecturers should not have to waste their valuable time in trying to educate students in basic skills which they should have mastered at both primary and secondary school. What does that say about our basic education system in Ireland? – Yours, etc,

PATRICK J O’BRIEN,

Maynooth, Co Kildare.