Letter: We're teachers, not babysitters

Letter: Regarding the recent industrial action by some teachers' unions and the PCS.

As a parent and teacher I would like to express my great disappointment at the comments made in the media by non-teachers, predominantly parents.

I was not one of the teachers expressing their concern at the unconsidered decisions made by the Coalition Government by taking industrial action, although the union I belong to might well consider action should discussions not progress satisfactorily.

What does concern me is the way that teachers are perceived. We are exactly that – teachers. We have trained for four years or more and have a huge bank of knowledge to impart to learners, but we are considered to be little more than babysitters or child minders.

So many of the reports concentrated on the inconvenience parents were being put to, having to find alternative care arrangements for their children. Is that what we are? A babysitting service? I think not.

Please don't forget, some teachers will have had to take a day's unpaid leave to look after their children because school was closed due to the industrial action of their colleagues.

I have experience of occasions where pupils have been unwell, sometimes needing hospital treatment, or have needed to be taken home because of an incident, but their parents were unwilling to collect them because it would be inconvenient or it would mean taking time off work.

When you are a parent your child's well-being comes first, of course, and if that means taking a day's unpaid leave so be it.

Mrs Christine Tully

Shrewsbury