NASUWT: Who should run our schools?
Results of an Ipsos MORI Survey of the General Public
Education will be a key battleground area at the next general election.
Each of the main political parties wants to show that they have the right balance of policies which will appeal to the electorate and contribute to improving the nation’s schools.
The results of this public opinion survey will be critically important to all of the political parties prior to the publication of their election manifestos.
Headline Results
· Most of the public want state-funded schools to be kept public and run by government.
· Parents and the public generally believe that today’s state-funded schools are of good quality.
· The public want state-funded schools to be run by local councils/local authorities in preference to any other type of provider, including universities, groups of parents, charities or private companies.
· Just 4% of the public prefer proposals that would allow state-funded schools to be run by private sector companies.
· Only 5% of the public prefer the policy proposal advanced by some political parties to establish Free Schools (i.e. state-funded schools run by groups of parents).
· There is significant opposition to alcohol companies, drugs companies, fast food outlets, tobacco companies and adult entertainment/pornography companies running schools.
· By 3 to 1 the public oppose allowing state-funded schools to charge parents additional fees to supplement their funding.
· Parents and the public reject by a ratio of 9 to 1 any increase in autonomy for head teachers. The public want the work of head teachers to be checked and regulated by inspectors, governing bodies, local councils and the Government.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers union, said:
“All the political parties have dabbled to a greater or lesser degree with placing schools in the hands of private providers.
“It is clear from this poll that they have completely misjudged the public mood.
“All parties now need to rethink their policies on the involvement of the private sector in state education and on the increased autonomy for schools.
“The main casualty however is the central plank of Tory education policy which is left in tatters by this poll, showing they are hopelessly out of touch with the electorate.
“Who runs our schools is a critical election issue. The public have now spoken decisively.
“It’s time for politicians to declare their commitment to democratically run and accountable state schools. This is what the public wants.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the largest public service union, said:
“This survey blows a great big hole in the Tories education policy.
“Only 5% thought parents should run state funded schools.
“Perhaps instead of looking to Sweden or the USA for inspiration, or listening to a mainly London centric middle class complaining about their local schools, politicians need to start listening to the vast majority of parents who want a good local school run by the public sector.
“All the political parties need to rethink their policies and place a commitment to democratically run state education at the heart of it. “
Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, said:
“This shows the extent of public support for maintaining a school system that is democratically accountable and where local education authorities continue to play the lead role.
“Parents, young people and the general public are not persuaded by the concept of ‘independent state schools’, especially if this involves them being run directly by private companies.
“We must ensure that all our young people enjoy a high quality education within the existing school system.”
ENDS
Please call Ilana in the NASUWT press office on
020 7420 9680 / 07966195010
Or
Sophie in the UNISON press office on
0207 388 1183 / 07957 505 675
Notes to Editors
The survey was based on a representative sample of adults living in England. Interviews were carried out face-to-face between 5-11 March 2010. Results are based on a total of 1,211 respondents.
Ilana Rapaport
NASUWT Press Office
Email: ilana.rapaport@mail.nasuwt.org.uk
Tel: 020 7420 9680 Mobile (and out of hours contact): 07966 195 010
Web:www.nasuwt.org.uk
Address: 5 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8SD
NASUWT- The largest teachers’ union
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