Kieran GOES to a gaelscoil, where he's gone into first class this autumn.

His first two years at school were very enjoyable, judging by his enthusiasm. He loved his first teacher Muinteoir Aine. She was very gentle with her young charges - I was becoming quiet jealous of her, Kieran used to quote her so much.

"Muinteoir Aine said that I could bring Snoopy to school,' he would argue (Snoopy being his furry dog). I couldn't imagine toys being allowed in the classroom - things have changed a lot since my day.

When he returned to school this September, he was devastated to realise Muinteoir Aine had left and moved to another school. He came home that first day in tears. However, she phoned him a couple of days later to say hello and wish him well. He was delighted.

His teacher this year has a hard act to follow. He says very little about what happens in the classroom, but last week, at bedtime, I was trying to encourage him by saying how good his reading was getting. "Muinteoir Nora must be good," I said.

"I think she should be sacked," was the sudden reply.

Shocked, I asked why - thinking of all the stories I've ever heard of bullying etc.

"She doesn't let me put my head down on my desk and have a rest like Muinteoir Aine used to." "But you're bigger now," I explained. "You can't take rests in rang a haon."

"Well," he argued. "She doesn't let us go to the toilet together either."

Again, I tried to convince him that now that he was older it wasn't proper for him to be going to the toilet with his friends.

"Is that because the girls wear knickers and the boys wear pants?" I gave up and opted out of this conversation with: "It's too late for talking now. You've school in the morning - go to sleep." I know from too much experience - one question just leads to another.