Morning Extra - 03/01/2008

Should classroom assistants cover for absent teachers? The Secondary Teachers Association says low-paid classroom assistants are being forced to act as teaching cover - which the union claims is exploitation. Would you be happy for this to happen in your children's class? Is it logical for children to be taught by someone they know and trust, and who's in their class every day? Or do you agree with the unions? Last year a survey by the Equal Opportunities Commission found classroom assistants were paid, on average, between seven and ten thousand pounds a year. So is this just the exploitation of low paid workers? Gary Robertson takes your calls, texts and emails.