Irish Teacher: Staff shortages are hurting the most vulnerable students

'I had seven teachers out yesterday. Every day, I’m battling to make the least worst decision'

Irish Examiner Features - Byline pic for Jennifer Horgan, Diary of an Irish Schoolteacher.

Parents work hard to get children to school on time. They buy expensive books and uniforms, make ‘voluntary’ contributions, and in winters like this one, wrap them up in warm coats.

But too often, when children arrive, there’s no teacher to teach them. And so, children divide up into threes and fours, sit at the back of classrooms and do quiet work.