Commenting on a report from the
National Foundation for Educational Research highlighting the
cost-of-living challenges facing school staff, Daniel
Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education
Union, said:
“Working as support staff in schools is becoming financially
unviable, as this report clearly shows.
“Support staff play a vital role in schools. The fact that they
are leaving for other work that pays more is a testament to the
disregard that Government holds both for support staff and the
education of children and young people. Low pay and the
cost-of-living crisis are taking a heavy toll on the profession,
with members resorting to the use of food banks or heavily
economising on food, cutting back on heating bills and accessing
Universal Credit.
“The cumulative effect is that, for the first time ever, schools
are now finding it difficult - if not impossible - to fill
vacancies amongst their support staff cohort. This has a knock-on
effect on pupils, especially those with SEND who need support and
continuity on a day-to-day basis.
“Until such time as pay and workload across the whole education
profession is addressed, the recruitment and retention crisis
that is gripping our schools and colleges will persist. Many
talented and committed people will be lost to the profession and
the education of children and young people will suffer as a
result.”
