I am astounded by the support for the teacher convicted of assaulting two pupils.
Mr Barile did not follow school procedure when dealing with difficult pupils.
There are guidelines set down by the education department that should be followed by teachers as well as the pupils.
Teachers are in a position of trust, therefore, behaviour such as pupils being pulled from their chairs and being pinned against the walls, cannot be tolerated.
Letter writer M. Brannen says Mr Barile is a hero, but it is my opinion the only hero is the teacher who intervened to stop further action.
This is not the first time the authorities have had dealings with Mr Barile.
I feel sorry for Mr Barile and his family as they do not deserve the vandalism or any other form of bullying directed at them.
No form of bullying is acceptable, especially in a school environment, regardless of who is behind it. — Concerned Father.
Should be charged
Dundee West MSP Joe Fitzpatrick is “taking up the case” of the teacher convicted of assault. What does he hope to achieve?
What about the thousands of skilled teachers who work within the rules?
I applaud them.
It is still fresh in my memory the vicious methods employed by teachers who used leather belts on the hands (and legs) of children as punishment.
Inability to control a class is no excuse to resort to physical means.
Perhaps if corporal punishment was still around, the sheriff who admonished this teacher could be dealing with more serious cases of assault.
This is a matter for the courts, and for the education authority.
Teachers and pupils alike should be charged if they break the law. — Stinging Hands.
Hard work turned class around
The current Primary 6 at Fintry School, Dundee, has had Mrs Linda Gallacher as class teacher for the past 18 months, and she has brought stability, calm and a lot of hard work to a class that was full of disruption from Primary 3.
The children have the utmost respect for her and they have a relationship that you seldom see.
Unfortunately, they heard on December 19, that their teacher and friend will not be returning as her time is over at Fintry.
Needless to say 34 children came home crying as they don’t want their teacher to leave.
Parents and children want to know why this excellent teacher is not continuing at Fintry Primary? — Moira McIntyre, Colonsay Terrace, Dundee.
Put children first
Primary 6 at Fintry Primary School, Dundee, were told on December 19, their teacher Linda Gallacher would not be returning as she was being posted elsewhere.
Mrs Gallacher is a brilliant teacher and should at least be allowed to finish her year with her kids as she had turned this class around. Everyone, including parents, want her back at Fintry Primary. So come on Education Department, put the children first. — Angry Parent.
[A Dundee City Council education department spokesman said, “Parents and carers should contact the school direct to discuss any issues.
“We will not comment on personnel matters.”]
Homes like ice boxes
Bucklemaker Court in Dundee.
Residents in Bucklemaker Court, Coldside, Dundee, like the people living in the Menzieshill multis, are also living in a Twilight Zone as the buildings are emptied. There are only about 30 left in the block.
Although we don’t have boarded up doors, our houses are like ice boxes. We are effectively heating three levels of houses — our own and the empty ones above and below.
Nearly all the residents are paying between £40 and £50 a week to stay warm. If it was a school or a workplace, it would be closed. — Multi Resident.
Free hospital parking for all
Car parking charges at Perth Royal Infirmary were abolished on January 1.
While this will mean a happier new year for those using the Perth site, those using Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, still have to pay.
Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon claims the cost of removing charges is too prohibitive but hasn’t provided evidence to support this.
If car parking is free at PRI and Stracathro, it should also be free in Dundee. — Rab J.
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