Sir, - Congratulations on Denis Coghlan's scrutiny of the scandalous neglect in funding of basic primary education and the often disastrously low literacy standards in Irish primary schools (Opinion, August 14th). Now that there is little doubt about the state of play - or lack of fair play - as regards standards, funding and commitment, surely we can get it right from here on. Some realities will have to be faced up to. Literacy and compensatory or remedial education can no longer be the poor relation of a very badly funded primary education system. Could we have a decent capitation grant?
Also, literacy and reading standards will have to get at least the same priority within primary schools as any other aspect of the curriculum. If this means downgrading, transferring or even off-loading Communion/Confirmation preparation, religious instruction, RSE and Stay Safe programmes, choirs and concerts, IT, substance abuse prevention and similar courses foisted upon us to redress modern society's failures/fallouts, so be it. Notwithstanding my own love for teaching Irish and the enjoyment children can derive from effective teaching in the subject, I would be inclined, however reluctantly, to add it to the above list. However, let us now at least give reading standards the same educational priority and effort Gaeilge got for so long.
It should be patently clear that overcrowding of the curriculum is creating and will create as many problems as did grossly overcrowding classrooms in primary schools, prevalent until recently and still not insignificant. Yes, Denis Coghlan is also close to the nub of the problem in saying that it would take as much commitment from the classroom teacher as the remedial/resource/back-up teacher. Every teacher should be allowed to avail of (free) training towards a proper qualification/ training in the area. Often because of the level of learning disability, background disadvantage or emotional difficulties, a one-to-one learning situation (of at least three 30-minute sessions per week) is necessary. So, a radical approach is needed here, as the Irish primary school set-up is not ready for that yet and won't be for quite a while.
Finally, could I refer to the status of primary teachers in society? While in the past, as referred to by Mr Coghlan, this status may have been overrated, it definitely is not so today. It is fairly obvious now that it is a downgraded and unbalanced (unhealthily so) profession. In these Celtic Tiger times it does not rate as a potential career among talented young men. The groups that control/influence primary teaching even seem unwilling to mention this, never mind tackle it.
Standards in our primary schools are of paramount importance - as we at the grassroots are only too well aware! - Yours, etc.
J. Brassil, Church Road, Rathcoole, Co Dublin.