Schools in North America are blocking access to a website where pupils are encouraged to rate their teachers and make anonymous comments about them.

Ratemyteacher.com is proving to be the latest craze among teenagers in the United States and Canada, with nearly 2.5 million ratings posted online since the site was set up in August 2001.

Over 400,000 teachers have been the subject of pupils' wrath or praise and each day up to 7,500 new ratings are received.

Pupils rate teachers from one to five on their easiness, helpfulness and clarity - they also decide whether or not the teacher is "cool".

What if we teachers created a site to trash our lousy students who don't give a goddamn about anything? Teacher

But such is the popularity of the site that schools and teachers fear it may encourage unfair criticism and victimisation.

Similar concerns over derogatory comments about teachers have been raised over the Friends Reunited in the United Kingdom.

Ratemyteacher.com estimates that 477 schools and districts have now blocked access to the site from school computers.

In response the website is publishing a "Wall of shame" which lists the "guilty" schools.

'Hateful little website'

Critics say the site is not an honest evaluation of a teacher's teaching ability.

"You think you're so smart with this website. What if we teachers created a site to trash our lousy students who don't give a goddamn about anything?" said one teacher.

We encourage all teachers to embrace this information, not fear it Ratemyteacher.com

Another, who received positive reviews from the site, said: "It is many of the teachers that are hated that will be thanked ten years from now, when your hateful little website will be forgotten."

"Can you tell me how it is not libellous to allow personal attacks on teachers from anonymous e-mails?" asked one parent.

"As a parent whose children have been taught by some of the teachers who are rated I can tell you that these comments are personal attacks and obviously not on their teaching merits."

"You have raised gossip to a new level. How tragic. I thought the Jerry Springer show was the bottom of the pit," said one user.

Open debate

But the founders of the website maintain it offers students the chance to voice their opinions.

"In the public discourse on improving education, we believe the most important voice is often ignored," says the website's editorial.

"We are not suggesting that this website is the perfect solution - but it is a start.

"By combining the information contained in online student ratings with the traditional administrative evaluation, the education system will move forward into the 21st century, integrating the power of technology with the power of teaching to improve the experience and value of our children's education.

"We encourage all teachers to embrace this information, not fear it."