Teachers too busy to worry about pay

It is a pity that Sean O’Connor (Letters, Dec 4) had neither the time nor the inclination to research the issues behind the ASTI government dispute.

His confused logic is apparent when he says teachers would be better off financially if they acceded to the Government, then, later on, he accuses them of being “selfish”.

It can’t be both.

This dispute is not about money. Teachers have concerns about their working conditions and the quality of education that can be provided in the face of relentless cuts.

New initiatives are rolled out by the Department of Education, demanding more out-of-classroom work for teachers, without consideration of where these fit into an overwhelmed system.

The Haddington Road proposals demand another three hours per week from teachers, reducing the time for planning lessons and evaluating students. Irish second-level teachers spend more time teaching than their counterparts in the majority of other countries and have the largest classes in Europe.

Cost-cutting disguised as reform, such as the abolition of the Junior Cert, promises teachers significant extra work. ASTI teachers have twice voted to accept pay cuts rather than an increased workload.

Kevin P McCarthy

Killarney

Co Kerry