I’m pleased The Argus covered just how hard teachers work and why they felt the need to go on strike (October 21).

As a parent governor at Moulsecoomb Primary School, and someone who runs a charity for pupils struggling in the classroom, I see every day how hard teachers work and how mentally demanding their job is.

As a parent, I want teachers to be on top of their game.

I don’t see how they can do this by increasing their workload and hours, cutting holidays and pensions, making them feel stressed, demoralised and exhausted and burying them in paperwork.

I don’t want schools obsessed with league tables and exams, but offering a rounded education.

I worry about the pupils my charity works with, where putting them in a classroom environment is like putting a square peg in a round hole.

Does that make them unteachable? No – it just means they aren’t as academic as others.

Just like everyone, teachers need holidays to recharge their batteries and see their families.

That’s how we get the best for all our children.

And if you want to make a difference, get involved with your school and see just how much work teachers put in.

Warren Carter, Moulsecoomb Forest Garden Project

And the other view...

As a retired teacher, I know first-hand what chaos is caused in schools, with very little, if any, gain when workers decide to strike.

If grievances can’t be settled because of the intransigencies of the employer, the matter must go to arbitration, which should be binding.

There should never be the need to disrupt the nation or, in this matter, the wellbeing and education of young people.

Teachers should never be seen rabble-rousing out in public, behaving like spoilt brats.

They should be in their schools, striving to educate. If they really cared about their pupils they could have held their protests over the summer holidays.

Teachers claim to regret resorting to industrial action, with a passion for their profession and contempt for the policies of Education Secretary Michael Gove. This is, frankly, risible.

Their actions speak louder than words and give the definite impression that they care little for their professional duties.

What is so wrong about performance-related pay? All employment would be enhanced by such a policy. There are skivers in all walks of life. If their shortcomings were highlighted by a disparity in their pay, things could only get better. They would almost certainly see the error of their ways.

Unions exist to help workers settle disputes with their employers. Those calling for strike action let their members down abysmally.

I am a life member of Voice (formerly the Professional Association Of Teachers) whose cardinal rule is that members do not strike.

I am convinced that one’s union should be the “voice” that speaks for us in the event of a dispute.

If unions accepted that role, I believe strikes could well be consigned to history.

The Socialist Workers’ slogan, “Strike to save education,” is a complete non-sequitur – nothing could be more destructive.

JM Hawkins, Buci Crescent, Shoreham