A waste of school days

In two weeks, 30,000 taxpayer-funded teacher days will be squandered and none of the education lobby groups are concerned.

On Monday, I received a note from my children’s school, announcing that it would be closed, for use as a polling station, on Oct 4. On Tuesday, I received a letter on behalf of the National Primary Education Alliance, pleading that I canvass my local Fine Gael TD, and write to Ruairi Quinn asking that there be no more cuts to primary education.

Dutifully, I have written to both, pleading that there be no more cuts in school time for election purposes. If voting cannot be on Saturdays, why not at half-terms? In any event, why are schools closed when only one or two classrooms are used? Can schools, teachers, and classroom assistants be used for special needs on these days? Or the 30,000 teachers and the thousands of classroom assistants could be trained to deliver Mr Quinn’s latest anti-bullying proposals. What are the chances of The National Primary Alliance endorsing my suggestions?

Alan Whelan

Beaufort

Co Kerry