REGARDING the escalation of juvenile crime, the Home Secretary's blitzkrieg on it and the Prime Minister's promise of education as a priority, I would like to provide readers with a little food for thought.

Britain's education system is at rock bottom - an all time low. What can be done?

Well, while a few schools have milked dry their ideas for progress after having resorted to so-called trendy teaching methods, I believe a whole new generation of intelligent Britons can be created if the following plan of action were pursued.

Extend education to 17, not 16, and have pupils do their final term to the full. (Some older children have the option of leaving school a few months early to return later for their exams).

Introduce lessons in sign language and a GCSE examination on it. Introduce lessons in first aid, (perhaps conducted by St John Ambulance).

Designate at least one day per term where children are spoken to by police officers on the importance of upholding the law.

And finally, bring back National Service.

After youngsters have left school at 17 and had a few months' break, they should be recruited into one of the armed services.

It would ensure them a fully-paid job for at least two years and enhance their skills and education even further for civilian life.

How could we make our youngsters learn so much? Easy, by making education non-negotiable - bring back the cane. It's not difficult - it just takes a government of honest realists.

SARAH WHEATCROFT, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.