A chara, – It is with great regret I note that students have, once again, become the victims in a battle between a teachers’ union and the Government.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland’s order to their members not to teach a class over a certain size is potentially detrimental to students. Such students are most likely to attend schools which are feeling the pain of cutbacks significantly as their schools have been forced to increase class sizes, and cancelling classes altogether is the complete opposite of the extra care and attention these students deserve.
It is noteworthy that the union has threatened conscientious members who may choose to disregard the instruction and continue to teach an oversized class with disciplinary action. Such teachers who are willing to put themselves at risk for the sake of their students should be applauded and not sanctioned.
Furthermore the TUI does not make any allowances for the most vulnerable students, such as allowing a member of their union to continue to teach an oversized class if they are in an exam year, etc.
On behalf of students all over the country may I appeal to the TUI to devise an alternative means of making its point to the Government which does not further disrupt the education of students? As students have no vote, no union membership and no place on a school’s board of management, a Letter to the Editor may be as much recognition as they will ever get. – Is mise,
MUIREANN LYNCH,
Wyattville Park,
Loughlinstown, Co Dublin.