Madam, – There is a proposed change in pupil-teacher ratio (Seán Flynn, Home News, November 3rd). It is hard to believe that Government sources are talking about making class sizes larger and decreasing the number of Special Needs teachers.
Why are we making kids and parents suffer directly with these cuts when there are easier ways of doing it? “The School Development Planning Initiative” (SDPI) has been in existence for the past 10 years. How effective is this body? How necessary it? Couldn’t the staff and funding required for this group be used in schools and enhance front- line education services. No matter how many stinging whole school evaluation and inspectorate reports get media coverage, our education system has not shown any improvement as a result. Experienced teachers are expert and effective at monitoring teaching – let’s get them to do what they are already paid to do.
“The National Behaviour Support Service” has been parading its ineffectiveness for a shorter period of time. I have yet to meet a teacher, principal or manager who has spoken well of this body. Many criticise it particularly for piloting, not the most unruly of students but the more manageable ones. These latter are already managed quite well by experienced teachers who are also paid to do this.
During economic failure, does the NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) really need to fund curriculum developments in Irish, English, and History, etc? Perhaps an economic argument can be made for innovation in the more “economic friendly” subjects such as business studies, mathematics and information technology. Once again, teachers are competent innovators and developers of courses and are already on the payroll.
Desperate times need desperate measures. Save our children from the effects of cutbacks. If we don’t “rationalise” these bodies (SDPI, NBSS, NCCA) now, I have no doubt it will be done (or forced upon us) by 2014. The main point is, experienced teachers (and there are still some who are not retired!) are qualified, experienced and already paid to do this work. Let’s use them. – Yours, etc,