Pain without gain

Further to the news story 'Union warns of threat to teaching standards' (11 April), I have been a teaching assistant for around two years. In that time I have gained much knowledge about child development and completed an NVQ 3 in my own time and at my own expense. Next on my agenda is a degree. Again I am carrying this out in my own time and at my own expense. However, I am disenchanted with the whole scene. My low salary has remained stagnant, even with my improved qualifications. So now I am seeking employment where my qualifications may...