Commenting on the passing of motion 32 at the National Education
Union’s Annual Conference, which is being held virtually, Kevin
Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education
Union, said:
“The post-16 sector was already facing huge challenges before
Covid, especially in terms of funding and pay for teachers and
lecturers. The Government's White Paper misses the opportunity to
address these problems.
“The cuts in funding since 2010 have decimated provision in the
post 16 sector, with 50% of adult learning places gone, little
demand for 16-18 apprenticeships, and inadequate funding per
student even after the increases announced in the November 2020
spending review.
“Pay for FE college teachers has fallen behind pay for teachers
in schools by around £7,000 per head. Given the important and
invaluable role that FE colleges play in the education of young
people, this disparity in both funding and pay is a disgrace.
“The NEU's success in mobilising member support and securing pay
parity with schools for sixth form college teachers has shown the
value of trade union activism. However, long-term stability can
only be secured by an increase in funding for the whole of the
post-16 sector.
“The NEU will continue to support joint work on this issue, such
as the #loveourcolleges campaign undertaken by the Association of
Colleges and the trade unions, which seeks an increase in the
funding rate to £5k per learner. If the Government is to achieve
its agenda of levelling up and the promise of better jobs, it
must restore funding and pay in the sector.”
