Thank you for Rebecca Drought's well-researched article on the growing teacher shortage in our region (Argus, February 27).

But then, in a time of prosperity, teacher shortages are as predictable as leaves on the railway line.

Why can't we get enough teachers? The answer is clear.

Who else would put up with covering for sick colleagues and vacancies in their schools, an overwhelming workload plus difficult parents and badly-behaved pupils?

Teachers are quitting and seeking other jobs. It is no use asking them to come back. People do not get out if they are itching to stay.

Then there is the issue of pay, which is poor compared to other graduate jobs.

Teachers in Scotland are to get a 21.5 per cent pay rise over three years.

If this is affordable in Scotland, it is affordable in England and Wales.

Unless this gap is closed, shortages will get worse in the South, which has very high housing costs. It all adds up to too few teachers, too little pay.

-John Hodgson, Capel Avenue, Peacehaven