A chara, - I am writing as a member of a teaching family, who grew up amid all the ups and downs of that profession.
Firstly, I must say that I feel very ashamed at the actions of the present teaching unions in forcing this strike on the people of Ireland. I was always led to believe that this noble profession of teaching put the well-being of their students first and foremost; but not today, when keeping up with the Joneses appears to be their guiding star.
Their salaries are far better than those of their UK counterparts, even before the recent massive increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, which with tax breaks and pay increases approximated to 25 per cent. Yet they want more. When one considers that 23 per cent of all Irish adults are functionally illiterate (OECD report), it certainly points an accusing finger at our schools and those who teach in them.
There is no doubt but some form of teacher assessment must be introduced into our education system. It makes no logical sense to see teachers demanding such a huge salary increase, when their former students languish second from the bottom of the European literacy tables.
But the unions are vigorously opposing any form of teacher assessment, and instead are seeking this huge salary increase to help maintain the old inefficient and indifferent service, with all its faults and failings. In the modern-day Ireland this state of affairs cannot be accepted, as parents strive to get the best possible education for their sons and daughters to equip them for the new technological age.
It is now high time that parents spoke up and demanded a thorough weeding-out of ineffiency and incompetence in our once proud and vibrant schools and colleges.
- Is mise, D. Grace, B.Sc, Achill Island, Co Mayo.