Our schools are facing huge budget cuts and teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Genuine investment is needed, not just a one-off hand out for ‘little extras’ – as suggested in the recent budget.

This week I questioned the Education Minister in Parliament about why he is still imposing a real-terms pay cut on most teachers.

Sadly, he did not promise any help. Instead, he insisted school funding had been protected and that plans by the Government to investigate ‘excessive work-loads’ would help retain teachers.