Many National Education Union (NEU) members on the Isle of Wight are set to strike again this week and next in pursuit of a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise.
This comes after several days of strike action in February and March.
Tens of thousands of members in the South East will join teachers across England in striking on 27th April and 2nd May and rallies will be held across the South East. No rally has been organised for the Island, but there will be picket lines outside some schools.
Examination arrangements
Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary, Isle of Wight – National Education Union, told News OnTheWight,
“Locally, the NEU has been very aware of the proximity of the next two strike days to examinations. Thus, the Isle of Wight district along with the NEU nationally has considered the impact on this year’s exam students (Year 11 and 13).
“With the support of both head teacher unions, there has been negotiation and voluntary agreements with schools to allow minimal disruption to these specific exam students. This means teachers have the option to go into schools to help Year 11 and Year 13 with their exam preparation and practice on both strike days.”
He added,
“In addition, we have been made aware of long-planned activities in some primary schools, which understandably staff feel reluctant to cancel.
“However, this does not mean the dispute with national government is over or the staffing recruitment and retention crisis is over.”
Shreeve: Schools facing even more cuts
Mr Shreeve went on to say,
“Sutton Trust research this week (26/4) found schools were facing even more cuts by school leaders to essential staff and activities at even higher levels than seen in previous polling. This included:
“63 per cent of the 1,428 survey responders experiencing cuts to classroom teaching assistant numbers and 71 per cent of senior leaders reporting difficulties in teacher recruitment.
“Time will need to be spent planning for potential later action this term and the forthcoming re-ballot to permit further action next term, if the Education Secretary fails to make an improved offer.”
Fawcett: Government failing to address the multiple problems
Maria Fawcett, Regional Secretary for the NEU said,
“Gillian Keegan is failing to address the multiple problems damaging our children’s education – around teacher recruitment and retention problems, and inadequate school funding. She has been told by the profession – and a significant majority of the profession – that her pay and funding offer is not good enough. 98 per cent of NEU members rejected it, on a two-thirds turnout.
“Her response has been to deny the way the wind is blowing. She is refusing to return to the negotiating table. It is this inaction, this silence which has left NEU teacher members in England’s schools and sixth form colleges to reluctantly take two more days of national strike action in the coming days.
“The NEU regrets any disruption to education and has put in place measures to ensure GCSE and A level students have a full program on those days, but what parents know is the disruption to education on a daily basis. This is the result of government policy on pay, on workload, on funding, and its serial neglect of a recruitment and retention crisis. Pupils are now regularly taught by staff who do not specialise in the subject they are asked to teach, or by a series of different teachers for the same subject across a year. Schools are cutting subjects and facilities to make ends meet, reducing opportunities for young people. Support staff posts are disappearing, leading to less one-to-one time.
“Despite our efforts, this Government has shown no understanding of just how serious the situation is in our schools and colleges. The pay and funding offer has only served to unite the profession against the Government. That is why NEU members are acting to make the Government see sense and improve its offer to teachers.”
Image: © NEU
