LAST Thursday the TUI held what is believed to be the first anti-racism training workshop for teachers in Portlaoise. The course was put on by Interculture Ireland and among the trainers was Joseph Asamoah from Ghana, a visiting teacher in Ballymun, Dublin.

Afterwards TUI president Joe Carolan said the union was "proud to welcome foreign students to Ireland, particularly refugee students. Irish culture and civilisation has benefited enormously from the music, languages and traditions of other peoples."

He also called for full education rights for asylum-seekers and for anti-racism training for all teachers.