Status of the teaching profession
Senator Healy Eames seeks an early debate on the value and status of teachers, arguing that society must respect the profession; colleagues briefly interject.
The House should have an early debate on the teaching profession and the value society places on teachers. There is no doubt a successful society needs a successful system. We rely on teachers, in collaboration with parents and students, to deliver such a system. This morning, I listened to Professor Pasi Sahlberg speak on "The John Murray Show". Professor Sahlberg will visit Galway next week as a guest of a conference I am hosting in the National University of Ireland, Galway. He spoke about the value of the teaching profession in Finland and noted that it was held in such high regard that it is the most sought after career among young Finns. In this country we constantly rub teachers up the wrong way and treat them poorly.
Comment on this
We must allow teachers to speak for themselves, as trade unions do not always serve them well.
