Sir, - Paul Lanigan (November 8th) totally missed the point of my letter of November 6th. If he were answering an exam question, he would have failed for not reading the question properly. I was explaining that there are many factors affecting the problems of literacy among a minority of students, one of which involves the curriculum for all language teaching in the schools. I challenge Mr Lanigan to view some of the school books and to notice the very low emphasis placed upon grammar. There are no grammar questions on any of the modern language papers in the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations.
The Department of Education dictates what we must teach in the schools. The Department sets out the syllabuses of subjects, the structure and actual questions for the State examinations - all carried out by non-teachers. That is my point. Does the Department of Defence "dictate" to the Garda how it should investigate crime? Does the Department of Health instruct doctors how to diagnose patients and what medicine to prescribe?
Mr Lanigan also mentions the "punters" who demand lower prices and faster service. Are we, the teachers, to regard our pupils as the private sector regards everybody, that is, as consumer units? When did Mr Lanigan, as a "punter", determine the price of his car, petrol, heating oil, house, bank charges, and so on?
On the subject of accountability, which is the new buzz-word, did I not already mention how renowned the Irish system of education is throughout the world? Are foreign companies, the IDA, IBEC and the Government not persistently heaping praise on our educated workforce? Is that not a form of accountability? What about the major developments in our schools such as the Transition Year, LCA, LCV and others, put in place by teachers without reward? There are also parent-teacher meetings where the teachers come face to face with the "punter". The State examination results also constitute accountability.
Accountability incorporates upward as well as downward mobility, financial incentives, and a career structure. Teaching does not have such refinements. If it did, then how would the Department of Finance pay the huge monetary rewards for the fine work of 40,000 INTO, ASTI and TUI teachers?
If there is to be more accountability in teaching, who shall make the parents accountable for the upbringing of the young, since the Constitution rightly recognises the parents as the "primary educators"? - Yours, etc.,
Peter McDonagh, M.St, BA, HDE, DTC (member, ASTI), Priory Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.