SCHOOLS must show young people that "burning up the street in a stolen car" is not more interesting than the National Curriculum, the general secretary of the Association of Christian Teachers said this week.
Richard Wilkins was commenting on outbreaks of violence linked to joy-riding in Oxford and Newcastle.
"Some young people have shown us recently what they feel about life. What kind of teachers do we need for people who feel like that?" Mr Wilkins asked.
"We must show clearly that such actions are unnecessary. Young people who now feel that only hatred and vicious thrills break up their boredom need to know that civilised behaviour can make sense. They've grown up in a nation which puts acquisition, ownership and consumption at the top of the list. Can the nation tell them why, if they can't get these things legally, they should not get them by force? Schools will be expected to answer that".
In facing up to such desolation and despair, said the general secretary of the 3000 strong association, "teachers have to be very special people".