Sir, - 'Tis the season of myths and shallow truthfulness! Let's dispel the myths as proffered by C. O'Connell and Paul Lanigan for starters (September 28th and 30th), before they take root and stymie the educational debate altogether.
The 23-hour working week! 33 classes + 30 pupils per class + class preparation + setting or correcting homework + subject meetings + exam preparation + class teacher meetings/year-head meetings + dealing with difficult pupils + updating class notes + reading the new texts + lunchtime supervision + study supervision + . . . The list is endless. Not to mention the classroom intimidation! 23-hour week how are ye!
One only has to listen to what the Garda reports (that the affluent young are out of control) and what CORI observes (that at least 5 per cent of students are severely disadvantaged, both physically and emotionally, and living in poverty) and you can come to imagine the scale of problems that face the teaching profession each day of the school year. For schools to continue to care professionally for all our youth, society has to acknowledge our efforts and pay for them accordingly. In a Wildean sense, this debate must be led from cocksure ignorance to some thoughtful uncertainty! Only then will the bleak scenario that faces us all be fully understood. - Yours, etc.,
R. Ryan, Roseberry Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare.