NEWS that teaching assistants (TAs) are not easing the paperwork burden on teachers is hardly surprising.

The education watchdog - Ofsted - says that more TAs could mean more toil for teachers responsible for overseeing them.

The role of a teaching assistant is to assist with teaching, surely, and that should encompass the paperwork.

Some might not agree, but that is the direction they appear to be taking.

A decade ago a teaching assistant would have the responsibility of putting out paint pots and menial administration tasks.

That has now developed into taking a more interactive role such as helping with individual pupil's needs.

I see no harm in that because it increases the teacher-to-pupil ratio, but surely someone would have been able to work out this simple equation.

More teaching assistants equals less teaching. More teaching assistants equals the same administration.

Unless these TAs are given the responsibility and reward for helping relieve teachers, then the situation is only going to get worse.