A chara, - The comment by Sean Higgins, former president of the ASTI (November 14th), concerning the two weekends teachers sacrificed for some IT training, is laughable. Let me begin with the obvious: teachers' annual leave is around 70 to 80 days, compared with an average of 20 days for private sector workers. Not only do teachers celebrate all public holidays with the private sector, they get to celebrate the religious holidays also. Working weekends in the private sector are commonplace. Working late is commonplace, without time in lieu necessarily applying. The average day for teachers is shorter than in the private sector, with or without the preparation of classes and correction of homework (I'm sure free periods are used for this purpose).
I sympathise with teachers in that over a very long time, increments in salary are poor. This certainly does not help in attracting people to a demanding profession. I have an enormous respect for the teachers who taught in my school, but I disagree with the ASTI's methods.
If the teachers wish to receive a 30 per cent pay rise, bringing them into line with the private sector, are they willing to adopt private-sector working practices?
Are they willing to sacrifice their shorter day? Are they willing to sacrifice two-thirds of their annual leave? Are they willing to work on religious holidays? Are they willing to lose the their additional income from summer-time activities? If so, give them what they want; but I doubt it. - Yours, etc.,
Alex Moynihan, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.