Q: I'M in third year in secondary school and the sight of my books is almost impossible - dragging all those books into the bus is a huge strain. Yet my school says that they can't provide lockers. Can anything be done?

- North Dublin student

A: I REALLY do sympathise with you. This is a very common problem and we get many parents complaining at this time of year. The National Parents Council is quite concerned about the effects of heavy bags on children's backs.

The problem exists even at primary school. One parent told us recently that the main reason they have to drive their children to school is the weight of the bags. Another said that she had been reduced to splitting her asmathic child's books into sections and sending in only the parts they were working on at a particular time. Some parents even find it difficult to find bags which are big enough.

Lockers seem to be the only solution. It allows the student brings home only what is strictly necessary for homework that night. Unfortunately there is a problem of security in leaving books in an open classroom.

Should larger school books be issued in two parts rather than as one large volume? Some are really quite enormous.

Parents should take the matter up with school authorities through the parents' association. I'm sure many parents are concerned about this issue. Remember there is strength in numbers if you are pushing for change. Why not bring it up with your class teacher - or send a petition to the principal.

It certainly is a very real problem for many people, but it's not always easy to see how it can be resolved though some schools have had to resort to fund raising to buy lockers.

Q: MY daughter would like to work in auctioneering but we're not quite sure at what level. Can she become an auctioneer without going to college? If she decides to go to college, what are her options?

- Cork Father

A: THERE is no requirement which says that you have to have a third level qualification to work as an auctioneer. All you have to do is get an auctioneering licence and you can set up shop without doing exams.

There are two professional bodies, the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (IAVI) and the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV). Both are based in Dublin. Most firms now look for a qualification. It could be at PLC level or at third level certificate, diploma or degree level. You can do a PLC course in the Cork College of Commerce or in the Dublin area at Ballsbridge College of Business Studies or Dun Laoghaire Senior College.

The Cork course is a two year IPAV certificate with transfer possibilities to the diploma course in the same college. Graduates of the Dun Laoghaire course may also apply to Cork.

Three third level courses are available in the Republic and one four year sandwich degree in estate management at the University of Ulster - all with IAVI recognition. Galway RTC has a three year national diploma in property and DIT Bolton Street has a two year certificate in auctioneering valuation and estate management with a one year follow on diploma available from which graduates may transfer to the third year of the property economics degree.

Limerick RTC has a diploma degree in property valuation and management. This degree also has a sandwich year like the University of Ulster which is a year's work placement in Ireland or abroad. Graduates can apply for membership of professional bodies and this entitles them to work worldwide.

Q: MY SON is living in the USA and is thinking of returning to Ireland. One of is biggest concerns is the education of his two boys, aged 10 and 12. He would like to know about the system here at second and third level. I don't know enough about it myself because I had to leave school early to work. Where can I get this information?

Limerick grandmother.

A: A GOOD start would be to approach the nearest second level school in the area that your son is thinking of living in when his family returns to Limerick. Establish what availability there is in the different years to suit the boys ages, their abilities, subjects, sports, extra curricular activities and so on - as well as giving you a level for the school.

The Department of Education is now providing some very good booklets. Most are free of charge from the Department's communications unit. The following titles would probably be the most useful for second level: Brief Description of the Irish Education System, Guidelines for Schools on the Transition Year, Evaluation of the Transition Year by the Inspectorate, Senior Cycle - the Restructured Curriculum, A Brief Guide to the LCVP and the LCA and Leaving Certificate Awarded in Ireland. There are also Post Leaving Cert booklets called Further Education Opportunities and the Removal of Charges for PLC Courses.

Three booklets would be helpful for third level: University Education, Non University Education and Taught Postgraduate Programmes - and a booklet called Third Level Student Support which is a guide to financial assistance available.

Q: MY SON, who is 16, has just left school and will not return under any circumstances. He got four passes and four honours in his Junior Cert. I am going to send him to a fifth form college in September but I would like to get him to do something in the meantime. What could he do?

- Dublin Mother.

A: IT'S a pity that he will not stay on until June because most of the things that he will do could be done in the Transition Year without paying for them. He could do a language or a computer skills course by day in some of the private colleges or he could take evening classes in your local VEC or community college.

If he has any particular talents, now is the time for him to develop these skills. Another option would be to spend the few months in France or Germany or in whichever country that he is taking that language for his Leaving Cert. You can get details from the relevant embassy.

Alternatively, he could spend some time in a Gaeltacht school and improve his Irish. Details are available from Gael Linn phone 01 6767283).

It's very important for him to be occupied in doing something worthwhile. So, if he will not take one of the courses, how about getting him to look for a job in an area he likes? He would get experience in the world of work both in the search for it and in the job itself he would then realise how hard it is to work everyday for long hours.