Sir, - The vast majority of ASTI members teach in voluntary secondary schools. Voluntary secondary schools are managed by volunteer representatives of the parents, teachers and trustees of the schools, having been nominated to serve, without remuneration, by the said parents, teachers and trustees. These schools rely on the voluntary financial contributions of, and fund-raising by, parents to make up the shortfall between the actual running costs of the schools and the capitation fees paid by the Department which are significantly lower than those paid to community and comprehensive schools and to schools run by the VECs. Finally, as the current work to rule demonstrates, they function only because of the voluntary labours of the teaching staffs. - Yours, etc.,
Jim Sheehan, ASTI member, Greystones, Co Wicklow.