LIAM McCLOSEEY, a native of Glenvar, in the Donegal Gaeltacht, became the new president of the INTO last Thursday. In his inaugural speech, given on the last day of the INTO's annual congress, he said that he was "too well aware" of the many problems facing teachers in small rural and island schools.

"The small school has a wide social significance, is a focal point of the community and is closely integrated into the life of the community," be said.

McCloskey announced details of a seminar for principals of one teacher and island schools, to be held in Galway on Saturday, June 22nd.

McCloskey said that he was concerned that enough support was not being given to the disadvantaged, the underprivileged and marginalised pupils in our society. "Disadvantage in its most serious form is found in our urban areas, and we must insist that far more resources be targeted on these schools in which there is a high concentration of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds," he told the 850 delegates.

It would be far better to invest the money at the preventative stage rather than at the last resort, when it costs £40,000 to keep a young offender in an institution for one year, he said. McCloskey called on the Minister for Education to reinstate the 20 visiting teachers for travellers who were effected the Department of Education's embargo.

He also asked the Government to double the intake into the colleges of education and to initiate a further intake of graduates, so that by the year 2000 there would he a national panel of supply teachers to cover all teachers absences.

During his time on the executive of the INTO, McCloskey has taken special interest in small schools, children with special needs, funding of primary schools, school buildings, the Irish language in primary school, the difficulties of teaching principals and teacher supply.

His wife, Mary, is also a primary teacher and they have a grown up family of four sons and four daughters.

Tony Bates, the new vice president of the INTO, also took up office at the close of congress in Belfast. A native of Tipperary, Bates has taught in Crumlin, Dublin, Birr, Co Offaly, and Clonmel, Co Tipperary. He is principal of St. Joseph's special school, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

Bates's father and grandfather were both national teachers. He has been an active member of the INTO since the mid 1960s, and during his time on the Central Executive Committee, he has endeavoured to heighten the profile of special education provision. He is the first teacher from a special school to become vice president of the INTO.