Classroom tragedy - Reformers must become more forceful

The murder of teacher Anne Maguire, 61, at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds on Monday, where she taught Spanish and had a profound, positive influence for 41 years, should give us all pause for thought.

The first consideration is that we must question the circumstances around the classroom tragedy and ask if a teacher like Ms Maguire, just weeks from retirement, might be the victim of such an attack in Ireland. And of course the answer must be, no matter how unpalatable or unimaginable, “yes”. That a 15 year-old boy is in custody on foot of the killing adds greatly to the tragedy but it also confirms that forces other than geography were at play. It makes no sense to hope that such dark, disturbing influences, what ever they might be, are not at play in this country.

Delegates at last week’s teacher conferences in Ireland reported on the growing threat they face in classrooms as they try to share one of the greatest gifts one person can give to another — an education.