The annual commemoration of anti-fascist volunteers who fought fascism in Spain now includes a key contribution from Italian comrades
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Take the fight to the government
As the NEU meets for its annual conference, teacher and union rep ROBERT POOLE reflects on the most intense period of industrial action in his teaching career
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The NEU’s annual conference promises heated debate, with motions on international politics, curriculum reform and union amalgamation likely to provoke strong reactions and challenge the status quo, writes Education for Tomorrow editor ROBERT POOLE
THIS academic year so far has felt strange. A bit anticlimactic even, after such an intense year of industrial action in education. In fact in 2023 I was on strike for more days than in the last 12 years of my teaching career.
After the most intensive industrial action in the history of the National Education Union (NEU) the executive committee recommended that members accept the offer set out by the government. A 6.5 per cent pay rise and £900 million additional funding came with assurances that this funding would not come from front-line school or college budgets.
With the executive, outgoing general secretaries and the incoming general secretary all in favour of the deal it was inevitable that the membership would accept the offer. And so they did in large numbers.
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The NEU’s annual conference promises heated debate, with motions on international politics, curriculum reform and union amalgamation likely to provoke strong reactions and challenge the status quo, writes Education for Tomorrow editor ROBERT POOLE
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