Commenting as the Prime Minister looks set to stand down,
following a wave of resignations including two Secretaries of
State for Education in 24 hours, Paul Whiteman, general secretary
of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:
“It is vital that the government’s internal turmoil does not get
in the way of addressing the urgent real-world challenges facing
education and the country, not least of which is the current
cost-of-living crisis and its impact on schools, staff, children
and families.
“Over recent months political scandal and the nature of headline
politics has replaced the activity of governing the nation. The
impact on schools and children has been profoundly damaging.
“Schools are short of funds, the demands upon school leaders and
their teams increasingly stretch beyond the core mission of
education and are unstainable. We simply do not have enough
resources, teachers, leaders or children’s support services to
ensure the next generation will be equipped to deal with future
this country faces unless the next administration brings urgent
support to education.
“We have a moment now to really grasp the nettle, reverse growing
child poverty, fund schools properly, invest in children and
family services, reverse the recruitment and recruitment crises
of teachers and school leaders. If the next PM and cabinet fail
to address the needs of young people they will not be the
generation lost to covid but the generation lost to political
ineptitude.
“As always school leaders stand ready to provide their advice and
expertise to the government of the day. If education is to be
successful those school leaders will need more than warm words
about the place of education they will need tangible support.”
