How is ASTI performing this year?
Carmel Murphy: Cork South - "The union has certainly regrouped - the old divisions have been consigned to history and we're moving forward. There's a new focus, back on working conditions and education, and away from union disputes and divisions. The old tensions are not tangible anymore. I'm especially pleased that today we unanimously passed a motion to set up a subcommittee to look at the area of teacher stress. I'm heartened at John White's renewal of his commitment to the early retirement scheme for teachers."
Caitríona McGrath: Cork South - "Some of the proposed changes to the Leaving Certificate exams need to be challenged by the ASTI. On Tuesday the Minister was discussing the possibility of splitting the Irish exam as early as 2008. There are many valid points against this move and as a union we need to discuss this further before it is implemented. I also query the idea of holding exams on Saturdays and Sundays - I don't think the students will like that. We have made our case to the department but the weekend exam idea was presented by the Minister as a fait accompli."
Deirdre MacDonald: Wexford - "I have found this year's convention very satisfying. We're finally addressing the very real needs of teachers on the ground. The issues at this year's conference are really striking a chord because they are about the everyday lives of teachers rather than union issues. I'm happy to see that stress in the classroom is finally coming to the fore as an issue at conference.
Stress is the greatest hazard in the teaching workplace. We need to look at the school as a workplace and look at the entire institution and the role it plays in stress prevention."