O’Keeffe: Pupils should not march

TEACHERS have been accused of using the schoolbag as a political weapon by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe, who has expressed concern over the growing use of children in union marches.

Protests involving thousands of children and teachers have been held all over the country since the announcement in October that budget cuts would lead to an increase in class sizes in primary schools.

Mr O’Keeffe said the unions representing teachers are serving the interest of their members and not children. “Obviously the teachers have used the schoolbag as a political implement and you would be concerned about that,” he told the Irish Examiner.