Sir, - I would like to ask everyone who has any interest in education to answer this question: "How important is the teaching profession?"
Those of us who believe in religion will probably regard the priesthood and religious life as even more important. But it is my firm conviction that, even if the priesthood and religious life are regarded as more important than teaching, no other profession or occupation is of similar importance.
If we really value our teachers, we will pay them more than any other profession. That, at least, is my conviction. Years ago money didn't seem to be quite as important as it is today. But in the world in which we live it seems clear that, if we want to attract the very best of our young people into teaching, we will have to pay them the best wages.
Of course, just as there are many priests who, in my opinion, should not be priests and doctors who should not be doctors and so on, there are, I believe, teachers who should not be teachers. For this reason I don't think it should be so difficult to dismiss a teacher.
I say this only because I believe it is true and important. It is not meant as an attack on the teaching profession. I owe a great debt to the teachers who taught me and, in different parts of Ireland, I have come across many teachers doing similar work. - Yours, etc.,
Rev Andrew Kane OP, Dublin 12.