Sir, – In response to the question posed by Kevin P McCarthy as to the casualisation of the teaching profession (May 20th), my career to date is proof positive that this is a reality for many teachers. I've been qualified since 2009. I spent one year in the UK. I've since completed four different maternity leave contracts and two sick leave contracts. I was only out of work last year for one month of the academic year since I qualified.
This year I finally believed to have got a break, replacing a teacher who has retired, getting my “own” hours as opposed to substitute hours. I had a reasonable anticipation that I would continue this September, but I’ve just learned that another teacher is to be redeployed from another school and I’m back to bottom of the ladder. I’m again looking for work for the sixth consecutive summer.
I hold three degrees and a higher diploma in education. To suggest there are thousands of qualified teachers in similar if not worse positions would not be an exaggeration. – Yours, etc,
NIALL COOPER,
Youghal, Co Cork.