TEACHERS and support workers should get the same 26 weeks’ paid maternity leave as civil servants, the National Education Union’s (NEU) annual conference moved yesterday.

Delegates said that the current four weeks offered to educators is exacerbating the teacher recruitment and retention crisis, with women in their 30s making up the largest demographic cohort within the sector.

Conference moved to call on the government to introduce a statutory mandatory maternity pay of 26 weeks on full pay.  

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “Supermarkets poach support staff with the draw of 26 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay.

“And we wonder why schools are struggling to recruit and retain staff.

“We need a concerted effort from government and employers to pay up, flex up and stand up for pregnant women and new mothers in the education sector.

“The maternity rights movement in the NEU is gaining traction — our members recognise the injustice and are willing to fight to put it right.”