I AM A deputy principal in an Irish post-primary school, and I have been reflecting on something we risk taking for granted: the extraordinary goodwill of teachers and what it contributes to young people’s lives.

Irish schools run on goodwill. Not entirely, of course. We have dedicated professionals, curricula and systems of accountability. But something less measurable gives schools their spirit and sense of community: the time and energy teachers give freely, often without a second thought.

Take one ordinary week in my school.

Students attended a jiving lesson at lunchtime. Another represented the school in a county-level Rotary competition. There were camogie and soccer matches, alongside activities organised through our 15 school clubs.

And that is only scratching the surface.

Across Ireland, teachers organise sporting fixtures, debating competitions, musical productions, environmental initiatives and charity fundraisers. They arrange educational trips, college visits and experiences through which young people discover interests and talents they might never otherwise encounter.

The impacts on students

For some students, these become the most memorable experiences of their school years.

But goodwill extends beyond extracurricular activities. It is the maths teacher giving up lunchtime for an additional class; the chemistry teacher staying after school to help students prepare for examinations; the teachers who give time during the Easter........

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