Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The website of the Department had a section that was open to people who wished to put forward their names to be considered for this. I could not, however, see a professional teacher filling that position, although there will be a need for such expertise on the board. The people filling the two slots created by these amendments will come from a USI nomination and for the other slot, because there is no formal representative organisation for learners, I will consult. Typically I would like to get someone who left school at 14 and re-entered the system after quite a period of time and who, as an adult, experienced what it was like to come from level four, five or six possibly all the way to level ten. There is a hell of a difference between teaching someone who is 36 as against 16. I want that voice to be heard, but I have no one in mind and it will not necessarily be someone who is politically on my side. I am looking for the experience. If life long learning is to be a genuine process, the secondary teaching profession will have to come to terms with teaching people who are older and in many cases, more experienced and smarter.

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