I am one of those proud teachers that Nigel Farage has in mind (Nigel Farage accuses teachers of ‘poisoning our kids’ on race issues, 9 October). For many years, as part of teaching media, film and journalism, I sought to educate students about basic political terms and concepts. Marxism was, and is, nothing resembling the totalitarian bogeyman that the USSR so conveniently became. Marxism is a doctrine espousing fairness, equal opportunity, redistribution of wealth and emancipation. It aims to be fully democratic. I found examining the lyrics of John Lennon’s Imagine to be most effective.

The poison here is Farage’s ethnonationalist rhetoric, rooted in the kind of capitalism that Marxism sets out to destroy. He represents the antithesis of fairness, harmony and emancipation. He must find the time to read up about Marxism.
Dr Jan Udris
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

When you teach in a comprehensive school, a sense of humour is a great advantage. Nigel Farage is obviously confusing Karl Marx with Groucho Marx.
Terry Ward
Former president, National Union of Teachers in Essex

I was dismayed to read Nigel Farage’s claim that teachers “poison” the minds of British children by telling them that black children are victims and white children oppressors as he played to the crowd at a private Christian college in the US. I wonder when he last looked at a history scheme of work.

The concept of diversity underpins everything we do in my department. Far from perpetuating stereotypes, or feeding a negative culture, curriculums are rich in celebrating diversity and building learning around what unites us through our shared past. Any exploration of this concept is a rigorous process, grounded in evidence and debate, allowing students to reach their own conclusions. The only agenda is to equip young people with the skills to think critically, weigh evidence and make informed judgments about the past.
Huw Bradbury
Head of history, Barnard Castle school, County Durham