Case study: 'The pay rise was overdue, we had fallen behind'

After 31 years in the classroom, Hugh Reilly says he felt like a second-class citizen when he joined the profession as he only had an ordinary degree.

He said: "These days graduates tend to be honours graduates. Back in the 80s there was a higher status, but you have to remember how society has changed."

He says the role of teacher has gone from provider of knowledge to facilitator of learning. "You were seen as font of all knowledge and that your job was to pass that on, now they learn through sources you help them find. For example, years ago if I was looking at UN agencies I would have talked and written things on the board. These days they are watching clips and being pointed to sources."

He said McCrone had been great for teachers: "The salary rise was long overdue, we had fallen way behind. Money coming in was great, but they telescoped the number of promoted posts so anyone coming in now might be put off by the lack of promoted structure and older people coming from other professions are deterred by having to drop down to a 21,000 starting salary.

"I've fifth and sixth year kids - the brightest in the school - who had thought about becoming teachers and they are saying no now because they don't think the jobs are there for them."