Commenting on the programme set out in the Queen’s Speech,
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The
Teachers’ Union said:
“The Government’s legislative plans show that, yet again, they
are out of touch with the realities affecting the education of
children and young people.
“As ministers continue to indulge their obsession with tinkering
with school structures, they risk exacerbating an already epic
teacher recruitment and retention crisis. There is nothing in
this legislative programme to restore the confidence of the
teaching profession.
“At a time when two-thirds of teachers are seriously considering
quitting the profession due to excessive workload and low pay,
the Government has failed to come forward with the measures
needed to address the fundamental problems that schools and
colleges face.
“In stark contrast to the Government, parents and the public
understand that we will not have a great education system whilst
teachers are demoralised or quitting the job.
“The exodus of skilled teachers and headteachers leaving the
profession and a deepening mental health crisis are blighting the
efforts of schools and colleges to secure the education recovery
that children and young people deserve.
“After more than a decade, the Government is continuing to fail
to deliver a competent plan that will ensure that all schools and
colleges are properly supported, funded and resourced to deliver
the very best for their pupils.
“The Government needs to wake up to the scale and depth of the
crisis facing affecting the provision of education in our schools
and colleges and urgently deal with the problems they have
created over the course of the last decade.
“Instead of wasting precious time, the Government should be
focused on resolving the recruitment and retention crisis by
substantially boosting funding for schools and colleges,
delivering a substantial pay award for all teachers, tackling
excessive workload, and taking urgent action to outlaw the
appalling use of fire and rehire practices, precarious employment
and discrimination at work.
“Teachers and pupils deserve better.”
