Sir, - Teachers are employed to prepare students for State exams and that is what they are currently conscientiously doing, despite the dispute with their employers. That is what they do every year as part of their job specification.
Last year advertisements appeared in the national press looking for people to correct State exams. In fact, the Junior Certificate CSPE examination was corrected in some cases by third-level students. Anyone who believed himself a suitable candidate could apply. Applications and payment were processed in a manner similar to any other job advertisement - though a successful appointee could an expect to receive only half his earnings at the time the job was done and might have to wait up to four months for the balance. Like every other member of the public, teachers could decide whether or not to apply for this particular form of employment.
The Minister and Department of Education are obliged to facilitate the running and correcting of State examinations. Recently both have refused to accept the opinion of the majority of those involved, including the Labour Court, that teaching salaries have fallen dramatically behind those of other public sector groups. They also choose to ignore the fact that participation in the PPF is not compulsory and any group has the right to pursue its wage claims in an alternative way - a right which TDs used in awarding themselves a recent pay increase. Is it surprising that teachers are deciding they no longer wish to apply for extra work from such an employer?
By their repeated refusal to acknowledge the rights of the teachers, it is the Minister and Department of Education who are placing the examinations under threat. It is they who should carry the can. - Yours, etc.,
Jane Fallon, Viewmont, Waterford.