IT'S official - teachers are overworked and underpaid.

Of course, those in education already knew that but, the latest figures from the Trades Union Congress prove it.

Teachers and lecturers work an average of 11 hours and 36 minutes of unpaid overtime in a 40-hour week, almost two hours more than "corporate managers and senior professionals" in second place.

However, because of lower pay in schools and colleges, a teacher's extra hours are worth half as much - £9,892 as opposed to £18,766 per year - as a corporate manager.

The news came as Ruth Kelly announced plans for performance-related pay, where teachers who take on more responsibility or training, or consistently achieve high results get paid more.

It also came as lecturers at two Worcestershire colleges went on strike for higher pay, with a third - Evesham and Malvern Hills College - in talks with employers over the issue.

More than ever it is time to praise the teaching profession for its hard work, thick skin and, unfortunately, thin wallet.