I am the Principal of a rurally based primary school.

Pupils and staff have the opportunity to work in a location which is very beautiful.

Nature abounds around us. The beauty of the seasons can be observed at first hand.

The community in which the school is based is close knit and very supportive. The school is at the centre of the community and life revolves around it.
I have been teaching for the past twenty years, the last twelve of those years have been in the position of Principal

I was quite proud to have been appointed Principal at such a young age. I determined to do all I could to make my school a place that everyone could be proud of.

Dealing with a multi class group is very challenging from an organisational aspect especially when being the principal further compounds the challenge. The constant ringing of the phone, callers to the door, the additional pressures of paperwork etc. detract from my main duty of care – my pupils.

Educationally we are quite advanced in our outlook. We are very involved in the local community. We get involved in many projects. The pupils are environmentally aware.

We have the honour of having our own website. The site was researched and uploaded by the pupils themselves.

Little did I think when I entered the teaching ‘profession’ that I would end up doing some of the ‘duties’ that I do on a daily basis.

Amongst other things I have to:

• Set traps to catch vermin.
• Mop up the floor of the toilet after heavy rain.
• Go up on the roof during the holidays to patch it up.
• ‘Build’ a scaffold with tables to patch up the ceiling to prevent the damp plaster from falling down.
• Regularly throw out books damaged by the dampness.
• Store paper and library books at home to prevent them being damaged in school and because lack of space is also a major problem.
• Carry home all the computer equipment for holidays because of dampness fears and because of security fears.

Teaching in conditions like these shows a marked disrespect to my profession and for me.

I am helping to mould the Irish citizens of the future. It is difficult to maintain a respect for a system that does not maintain a respect for me.

The goodwill that exists between teachers and the Department of Education and Science is slowly waning.

If that goodwill goes our Education System will surely suffer.

Now with the Celtic Tiger becoming a distant memory what’s one of the first things to get hit? ….. the Education System!

You’re pulling the promised funding for I.C.T.

Thanks a lot Fianna Fáil!

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