Israel’s genocide in Palestine and wars against its neighbours would be impossible without constant Western support — so we must amplify the brave voices demanding a halt, argues DR RAMZY BAROUD
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Much to debate and much to decide for delegates this Easter
NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney
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THIS Easter weekend the NUT section of the National Education Union will be debating the issues that matter most to teachers and school staff.
It is clear from our agenda that workload, funding and assessment are some of the main priorities that delegates feel are getting in the way of either their profession or children’s education.
Survey after survey demonstrates the unsustainable hours being worked by teachers. The current assessment methods used in our schools is driving the joy out of learning and teaching.
The government has turned our classrooms into exam factories with children from the age of four upwards being tested and measured within an inch of their life.
Teacher pay has been cut by 15 per cent since 2010. The impact of these attacks on teacher pay are clear — with government teacher recruitment targets missed year after year and teachers leaving the profession in record numbers.
Funding is having a devastating impact on schools and pupils. Some £2.5 billion has been lost from budgets since 2015 resulting in 91 per cent of schools facing real-terms budget cuts compared with 2015-16. This is simply unsustainable.
Our survey of members on funding will be released over the Easter weekend. It paints a bleak picture.
With local elections around the corner, the government should pay heed to the fact that education funding played such a big part in the general election.
The School Cuts coalition will be holding a weekend of action on April 21-22 to highlight our serious concerns.
So, much to debate and much to decide.
The NEU will be working in the months ahead to ensure that government listens to the voice of our members and starts making the changes we need in education, funding and employment.
Kevin Courtney is general secretary of the NEU (NUT Section).
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