School days were not happy for Proinsias De Rossa. Discipline was important, but did it have to be so brutal?

MEMORIES of my school days aren't particularly good. I'm reluctant to recall them. I grew up in Parnell Street in Dublin's inner city and went to Scoil Colm Cille in Marlborough Street. There were lots of schools around but my parents sent most of their children - there were 12 of us - to an all Irish school. They thought it would be better.

I looked forward to school but once I got there I detested it. I was shy and it wasn't until I actually started school that I became aware that I had a stammer. There were about 50 in each class.

There had to be discipline, but I felt that it was too brutal. I did very badly. Lots of the children were working class like myself but others were the children of civil servants. Brighter children tended to get the attention. I wasn't bright and I paid the price with the cane and stick.

However, I was an avid reader - and spent much time in Capel Street public library. I scraped through the Primary Cert and went to Capel Street Technical College, a VEC school. This was real eye opener. There was no corporal punishment and you weren't beaten for spelling mistakes or for poor handwriting. I wanted to be an electrician and after a year I left to go to Kevin Street College of Science and Technology.

Kevin Street was even less structured and disciplined than Capel Street. It was much more like college and I enjoyed it. I gradually go to grips with English and maths although I never liked studying.

I wish that my early years had been different. I regret that my primary school didn't prepare me better. I imagine that I could have been more successful at school if I'd had the right preparation.

The classes were too large. The teachers did their jobs but they were unable to accommodate those of us who weren't naturally brilliant. I do feel the lack of a formal education and not having been to university. But then there are positive aspects - I have had a breadth of experience.

There are probably still schools that aren't as they ought to be, but I was satisfied with all the schools that my children went to. People should have the broadest possible education from a very young age. I had no real choice about my education.

Secondary school or university were never options because of the fees. Choice in education is important.

Very young children don't have a choice. Ia the case of my own children they went to schools that were good and when it came to the point that they were able to make choices they did so.