How do you feel about the teachers going on strike?
Sarah EbnerNovember 29 2011 schoolgate Times
Oh dear. It’s strike day and I’d like to be sympathetic to the teachers. I really would.
But the reality is that I feel rather conflicted. We live in very difficult times. True, they are not caused by teachers, but neither are they caused by me, or many other private sector workers. Everyone is feeling the pinch. Everyone is going to have to retire later than they expected. And some of us don’t have any pensions at all.
I do value teachers, but I’m not really sure what they think this strike will achieve, nor what they are actually going to be doing on the big day (there doesn’t seem to be a big rally, like the one in June). I am aware that many people who don’t normally strike (headteachers, different unions) are taking action, and that this has become something that is about something more than pensions.
I also know that I’m not alone in finding the issue difficult. Many parents are angry about having to take time off work themselves to look after their children tomorrow. Many are having to pay for extra childcare. Not many appear to be taking their children to work with them (despite the Prime Minister’s advice).
Margaret Morrissey from ParentsOutLoud had this to say:
“If I take my child off school I am in danger of having to pay a fine but teachers can close a school down for their own needs…. What an example to set, what a sad day it will be, Never never complain to a parent if they take their child out of school for a day saying “it is irresponsible and affecting their education”. You obviously do not believe that or you would not be striking.”
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I am officially a retired teacher but I would also classify myself as an unemployed supply teacher. My response to te strike undertaken by teachers is that they are striking for the wrong reason.
They should be taking action in support of their unemployed colleagues; there are about 100,000 teachers who are unable to get regular work and they should be supported by their colleagues in permanent posts. These unemployed or underemployed teachers are in tis position because of the way in which so many schools are being allowed to use unqualified teachers or support staff for teaching purposes instead of using qualified teachers.
There are regulations and guidelines in place concerning the use of support staff instead of teachers but these are being ignored by schools. This has an adverse effect on pupils in schools. In secondary schools for instance there are many reported examples of cover supervisors taking responsibility for teaching whole classes for long periods of teach absence. In primary schools about 60% of children are without a qualified teacher while their assigned class teacher has their timetabled PPA time and that means that at least 20% of their subject time is spent without a qualified teacher.
I just wonder how many parents realize that their children are being taught by support staff rather than qualified teachers for so much of their time.
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