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SO THE teachers are revolting again. Take that statement how you like, but I am appalled that schools in Bucks face disruption on April 24 when around 200,000 sirs and ma'ams across the country go on a one-day National Union of Teachers' strike over pay.

I find this all very unfortunate, not least because it coincides with the run-up to the end-of-year exams.

It's time these people joined the real world and stopped creating a bad example to their pupils by creating so much fuss.

I accept it's a tricky job at times, and I also accept there are very many wonderful teachers out there who do a very important job.

But consider this. An average experienced teacher will earn around the £30,000 mark. Not brilliant money, but better than many industries, and not bad for one where the vocational aspect is all important. And certainly not bad when you consider the amount of holiday these people get every year. I know that's a cliched point, but it's true.

In what other job do you have the same certainty of the same amount of scheduled holidays every year? There's no need to fill in holiday forms, or vie with colleagues for the best dates - it's there on a plate all laid out for you, summer, Easter, Christmas and half terms.

Now, there may well be an argument for higher pay. We know teaching has become ever harder as the children become ever more feral and the penalties on making them behave become ever more lax.

But it's an argument to be won in an academic way by the very people in society who are supposed to be academics. Teachers should not risk penalising their charges by going out on strike. Industrial action should be banned in schools, because our children's education is too precious.

Any teacher who goes on strike, even for reasons passionately and sincerely held, undermines both their argument and their profession. Black marks then to anyone joining in this action.

7:25pm Thursday 17th April 2008

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