NASUWT: Parents abandon responsibility at the school gate

NASUWT: Parents abandon responsibility at the school gate

NASUWT: Parents abandon responsibility at the school gate

68 percent of teachers cite a lack of parental support as one of the most prominent causes of pupil indiscipline.

The survey of over 8,000 teachers for the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, reveals that pupil indiscipline is the issue that most concerns almost half of teachers (49 per cent).

51 per cent say that children don’t even have the appropriate equipment such as pens.

Further causes of indiscipline are:
. a lack of backup from senior management (36 per cent);
. the influence of negative TV and media (23 per cent);
. class sizes that are too large (34 per cent); and
. lack of enforcement of school rules (34 per cent).

Behaviour that distracts from teaching and learning includes:
. chatter in class (66 per cent);
. inability to follow rules (62 per cent);
. backchat (60 per cent);
. distraction of mobile phones and other electronic equipment(46 per cent);
. failure to complete homework or other work (61 per cent).

The solution, according to teachers, is not more powers to search pupils, as the Coalition Government proposes in the Education Bill. More than half of teachers (56 per cent) thought that increased search powers would not help.

46 per cent do think that being supported in proportionate action, such as confiscating offending items, is needed.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“The messages from this survey are clear.

“Teachers are not receiving the support they need from parents, school leaders or government to assist them in maintaining high standards of pupil behaviour.

“Parents can’t simply abandon their responsibilities at the school gate.

“Sending their child to school with basic equipment, on time, with homework completed and with clear expectations of how they expect them to behave in school is a critical part of their role.

“Too many pupils arrive at school with mobile phones, iPods and MP3 players when teachers just wish they would bring a pen.

“Hours of valuable teaching and learning time are clearly being lost in lessons everyday through pupils not being ready to learn.

“The response to this survey is also a vindication of the stance that the NASUWT has taken against the extension of the powers to search in the Education Bill.

“The NASUWT has maintained consistently that it’s not more sanctions teachers need but more support in enforcing the existing ones.”

ENDS

Press Office: 07966 195010/ 07966 198894

Notes to editors

1. All statistics are from a survey of 8,231 teachers, carried out by the NASUWT in February and March 2011.
2. For further details, or interviews, please contact the NASUWT press office.