Teachers seek measures to improve classroom discipline

Secondary school teachers have called for the introduction of new procedures to help improve discipline in classrooms.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said securing measures to improve discipline among schoolchildren was its main priority for 2005.

TUI president Paddy Healy said teachers had to be given the power to provide a proper learning environment for students who wish to learn.

"The rights of the teachers, the rights of the school and, above all, the rights of the students who wish to learn are [currently] taking second place to the rights of the badly behaved student," he said.