HUNDREDS of teachers were in York today for the first day of the National Association of Head Teachers conference.

President Gareth Matthewson told the conference there was nothing more important than educating the young people of the country, and teaching was the most important profession.

He said: "It may be the law and finance that have the best monetary rewards, but it is the teachers who do the really valuable, meaningful work."

The theme of the conference is Meeting The Challenge and Mr Matthewson discussed challenges faced in the industry.

He highlighted the recruitment and retention of top-quality teachers as a major challenge. If it could not be achieved, he said, it would result in a failure to meet future demands.

The conference, which is taking place at the Barbican Centre, finishes on Monday.

Updated: 12:08 Saturday, May 03, 2003