Nursery World - Tired of being a political football

As a classroom assistant in Scotland undergoing university education in childhood studies paid for by my local education authority, I am developing as a paraprofessional, by undertaking ever-increasing responsibilities that include some teaching input on my behalf. Although I am trusted by the teachers with whom I work, I am treated like a political football by my local education authority, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), and other teaching unions, and as a 'quick-fix' solution by the Government.

Although I am trusted by the teachers with whom I work, I am treated like a political football by my local education authority, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), and other teaching unions, and as a 'quick-fix' solution by the Government.

The problem in Scotland is that classroom assistants are paid as part-time workers, although we only leave 30 minutes before school finishes daily.

I am well aware that some teachers have a poor opinion of classroom assistants, and no doubt some classroom assistants have a poor opinion of teachers.

Many of us have real talents to offer the school; my skill is in music.

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