Substantial resources needed for remote learning, says NASUWT

Moves to provide remote learning in schools will not be sustainable without substantial extra resources, including extra teachers, NASUWT – the Teachers’ Union is warning today.

As disruption increases in schools due to teachers being off sick with coronavirus or isolating, and more and more classes and year groups being sent home, it is increasingly likely a greater proportion of children’s learning may have to take place remotely.

But in a snapshot survey of 6445 NASUWT members, 82% feel they are not getting the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic to enable them to do their job effectively.

Workload has increased for three quarters (74%) of teachers and more than half (56%) say they go without regular breaks.

This has been exacerbated by teachers being expected to develop remote learning, with 86% saying there is an expectation they will do this work in addition to their current workload.

NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:

“Teachers are telling us they are experiencing massive strain on their workload and the provision of remote education is simply not sustainable without substantial additional resources, including extra teachers, to enable this to happen.

“If the Government is serious about children’s education, then it must do whatever it takes to ensure that schools have the extra resources and funding they need to continue to provide education in these extremely challenging circumstances.

“Ministers must ensure that teachers and pupils have all the resources they need to support teaching and learning whilst schools continue to be disrupted by the pandemic.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The survey was carried out between 25^th and 29^th September 2020. There were 6,445 responses.