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 count for something.
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 count for something.
Hopefully a career structure will improve pay conditions for those more qualified, but what good is a degree when you work as a teaching assistant if you have no more money in your pay packet?
And as for teaching assistants taking more responsibility in the classroom, I think they could probably do a better job of behaviour management than some teachers.
Jane Jones, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
