Lack of finance and inadequate resources often make life difficult for the beleaguered teacher.
All governments put education high on their list of economic priorities, but often the funding from central administration doesn't find its way to the classroom.
Vast amounts of money somehow get soaked up between leaving the government's purse and getting to the frontline.
'Can I have a new set of textbooks, Mr Principal, please?' 'I'm sorry but we have no money left for things like that!' Making do with imperfect facilities adds to the problems that a class teacher must overcome. No one ever works in absolutely faultless surroundings, with everything they could possibly need at their fingertips, but teachers can often be found working away with the bare minimum of equipment needed simply to do their job properly.