John Curran

Today is confirmation day for the pupils of Good Shepherd national school in Churchtown, Dublin, just one of the many non teaching duties for which the principal, John Curran, is responsible.

Curran has seen the size of the school double since he took up the job six years ago, but this has not been matched by more administrative assistance or an increase in his principal's allowance.

The Government's offer promises to change that. In future, the number of promoted posts allocated to the 18 teacher school will depend on staff numbers, rather than the existing points system which militates against primary schools. As a result, half the teachers will hold posts with specific duties devolved from the principal.

"There's now the chance that the organisation of schools will improve. The deal also provides the beginnings of a proper career structure."

Curran stands to gain by more than £4,000 a year through the changes in principal's allowances, and by about £1,000 as a result of a change in the teachers' pay scale. However, much of this will be clawed back in tax.

"If I wasn't to get a penny extra, I would still support the deal. The system has long depended on the dedication of teachers to get the work done, and this isn't going to change.

Mary Friel

Although the Government's pay offer would put an extra £1,000 a year into Mary Friel's pocket, she has no hesitation in rejecting the deal.

A teacher for 17 years, Friel says the proposals for changing the management of schools represent "unknown territory" and would impair the quality of education.

Under the offer teachers must agree to take on specific duties to qualify for the new posts of responsibility and increased allowances. Ironically, as an A post holder, Friel already has specific duties as a year head in Rathmines Senior College. She says that while she works in "a decent school", there are "schools where teachers would be pushed into taking on significant new duties.

"Other people should do the administrative work in schools. This is the situation in France, but now we're moving towards the British system."

Friel's basic salary of about £24,000 is topped up by allowances for her A post, an honours degree and an H Dip, giving her a gross salary of about £27,500. With three children, her net salary comes to about £19,500; if the deal were fully implemented, this would rise to about £20,500 in a few years' time.