"NFER survey shows school funding top General Election issue for teachers and leaders" - NEU reaction

Commenting on the National Foundation for Educational Research survey showing school funding is the top education issue for teachers and senior leaders that needs to be addressed in the run up to this General Election, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“It is no surprise that in this election school funding comes out as the main education issue for teachers and school leaders.

‘Schools have been running on empty for far too long and a shortage of funding is impacting heavily on the education provision that is afforded to children and young people. Cuts to staffing levels, increased class sizes, SEND support cut, subjects dropped from the curriculum and crumbling school buildings are some of the consequences of years of underfunding by the current Government.

‘No amount of rhetoric about a ‘world class education system' from the Conservatives can disguise the fact 70% of schools in England have less funding in real terms than in 2010.  This neglect of education services has failed an entire generation of children. We need to see all political parties commit to increasing school funding beyond 2010 levels and once again valuing our education system.”