Sir, - I am not a teacher, but I must respond to the letter from Alex Moynihan (November 16th), who asked if teachers were willing to work on religious holidays, sacrifice their shorter day and two-thirds of their annual leave, and lose their additional income from summer-time holidays in return for a 30 per cent pay rise to bring them into line with the private sector. The writer must never have participated in extra-curricular activities while in school (or sat detention!), played sport, participated in inter-school music, drama or debating competitions, sat any exams or tests, worked on any projects or even eaten lunch during his secondary school career if he thinks that a teacher's day starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., as he suggests. He must never have availed himself of the benefits provided as a result of the extra work and supervision that most teachers put into these activities, which often entail working for long after 5 p.m., at weekends, and for a large proportion of the holidays they receive (particularly when marking exams and preparing reports). This work is mostly unpaid - and completely unappreciated, if this letter is anything to go by.
As for "additional income from summer-time activities", maybe teachers need this to support an entirely inadequate salary - and if so, then so much for their wonderful holidays. And if, as is clearly being suggested, teaching conditions are so wonderful, why aren't there more young people choosing this career? Maybe the lack of bonuses, paid overtime, paid health care, stock options, company cars and all the other unseen, non-PPF perks which also belong to private industry is somewhat offputting. Teaching is being increasingly eschewed for this very reason, as shown by the drop in the numbers taking the H.Dip.Ed. Teaching is not easy. It is a highly intensive, skilled job, which is not supported by the levels of variety or retraining experienced by many people in private industry. Finally, the teachers are not seeking 30 per cent, as stated. They are seeking an additional 10.8 per cent. This would perhaps compensate them for the otherwise abysmal increases in salary they obtain through increments in a salary scale that increases by only £14,000 in 25 years (average £560 a year before tax). - Yours, etc.,
Dr Clare Thorp, Leixlip, Co Kildare.