Sir, - I am a parent. I want the very best education for my children. But I am intrigued by some of the comment in The Irish Times and other media on the ASTI's work-to-rule. Much of this criticism is from apparently well-educated parents demanding that the teachers drop their pay demands and return to work immediately to ensure that our children receive the best possible education. This amounts, of course, to a tacit acknowledgement that the work of the teachers is hugely important.
What an appalling insult to these valued members of society, on whom our future prosperity and well-being depends, to expect them to compromise their own future prospects in favour of others'. For those who demand a means to measure the performance of the teachers, I suggest they use the Celtic Tiger as a starting point, and then look to our highly skilled and well-educated emigrants who are much sought after in every corner of the world.
In your Weekend supplement some weeks ago, the author John O'Donohue stated quite simply that educators (and health professionals) must be paid what they are worth to ensure the survival of our society. Is the obvious logic of this not clear to all? - Yours, etc.,
Paul Waldron, Woodpark, Ballinteer, Dublin, 16.