I know a couple of woman who gave up high-paying jobs to go back and train to be teachers in their thirties and forties. They have no regrets. I've been involved in recruiting for a new school in the past and was gob-smacked by the control the unions have over the process. We were only permitted to interview for a principle and teachers once and then for a maximum of one hour. Once appointed there is no probation period at all - it's permanent. In the private sector I have never recruited even the most basic secretarial position on less than two interviews and everyone has a nine month probation period to prove themselves or goodbye.

From what I've observed school principles work extremely hard - long hours, constant nighttime committees etc but other teachers have a very reasonable lifestyle. I am reminded of a friend who moaned constantly about how hard it was coping with her four children. Her teacher husband was home by four o'clock everyday and had all summer to take his kids canoing and camping. Mine got home between eight and nine every night and didn't get get holiday pay so could rarely take holidays. I know some schools are very tough environments but the majority are not and really teachers should look for alternative work if they are not enjoying what they do. It's the only fair thing to do for the children.

Having said all that I am furious with the educational cuts, especially the special needs teachers. It's a crime to take away such services from children and will lead to added stress for both children and teachers in the classroom. It was the straw that broke the camels back where The Greens are concerned for me.

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"Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense." - Chapman Cohen.