Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech to Conservative Party
Conference, in which he hinted at expansion of the National
Tuition Programme (NTP), Kevin Courtney, Joint General
Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Boris Johnson has been keen to present himself as a hero for
disadvantaged young people but has so far not come up with the
goods. It is hoped that the National Tuition Programme will go
some way towards boosting individual support, but we need a
different approach to education during Covid, not ‘normal
expectations’ plus some tutoring on the side.
“The idea of meeting individual needs is the right one, but the
Government is sending mixed messages – sometimes recognising this
isn't a normal year, but then also pressing ahead with exams and
standard tests as if normal teaching time did occur last year.
“The ideological obsession with the private sector's ability to
deliver has been thoroughly tested during Covid and left wanting,
and there is no reason to suppose the NTP will be any different.
Untested, rushed plans will always lead to dysfunction. What is
presented as a magic solution for disadvantaged young people
could result in less time being spent with qualified teachers.
Schools should instead receive this money direct and target that
extra support as they see fit, based on their plans to re-engage
students, rather than see it allocated for unqualified tutors.
“In a poll of NEU members published at the weekend, 51% reported
they had witnessed a ‘significant increase’ in hardship amongst
their pupils since March. In 2018-19 some 4.2 million in the UK
were trapped in poverty, but by Christmas, 200,000 more children
will be pushed below the poverty line.
“The tuition programme can't be used to hide from making the
overall changes to assessment and exams needed this year, which
must be driven for what's realistic for students and fair for
teachers.
“The Government can do much more to ensure no child is left
behind. Real differences could be made if they were to address
hunger, not least during school holidays. We also need affordable
uniforms. The Government must redouble its efforts to meet the
need for IT and wi-fi, which nearly half a million young people
are still awaiting after months of broken promises.”
ENDS
Editor’s Note
NEU survey, 3 October: https://neu.org.uk/press-releases/member-survey-shows-lack-trust-government
