Sir, - Peter McDonagh (November 6th) asserts that "teachers are the only professional body which actually takes directions from people outside its profession - i.e., teachers impart what the Department of Education tells them to impart!"
Outside the protected confines of the teaching profession there exists a species known colloquially as the punter. These demanding little creatures' raison d'etre is to: give direction; call the shots; demand lower prices; insist on faster service; dictate what is and isn't acceptable, etc., etc.
In the real world, if we had only the Department of Education giving direction, life would be a lot easier. But in the real world, if we ignore the demands of our customers, we simply cease to exist. That's called accountability - something Mr McDonagh fails to acknowledge when he criticises politicians for looking for a 33 per cent rise. Politicians are accountable to the people they serve. Teachers are accountable to no one. - Yours, etc.,
Paul Lanigan, Clonkeen, Ratoath, Co Meath.