Sir, - As a former secondary school teacher I am sick and tired of the acres of print that have been accorded to the ASTI dispute in your paper. My sympathies lie with the students and the parents, and with them only.
I chose to leave a lucrative teaching career in the early 1980s during a recession because I had four children under the age of six years. I am now self-employed in the tourist industry. Unlike public service employees, I have no guarantees as regards my livelihood. I have no public service pension rights. I work seven days a week. For me, unlike teachers, bank holidays are normal working days and summer holidays do not exist. December 25th and 26th are the only days I can say with certainty are family days.
I made a choice at a difficult time. Such a choice is more readily available in the Ireland of today. Might I suggest that those disaffected teachers embrace a career change? To hell with the long holidays, to hell with the 22-hour working week, to hell with the weekends and free bank holidays. Join the self employed - it's a much more attractive option! - Yours, etc.,
Sally O'Brien, Clynagh, Carraroe, Co Galway.