NASUWT: Pupils are at the mercy of the market
The increasing marketisation of the education system is putting profit before the interests of pupils, teachers and the public, representatives at the Annual Conference of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, was told.
A motion debating the casualisation of the workforce has rejected the agenda of privatisation, which is undermining public confidence in schools and promoting job insecurity.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
"Schools in the United Kingdom are among the best in the world.
“The highest-performing countries will not countenance putting their children and young people at the mercy of the market.
"An essential principle for all education reform must be that it raises educational standards for all.
“Reforms introduced by the Coalition Government are now creating a market free-for-all in education, which will be to the detriment of many, and the advantage of the few.
“All of the independent evidence confirms that marketisation does not deliver better educational outcomes for pupils, but costs more money and creates widespread inequality and social segregation.
“Children deserve better than being put at the mercy of a market in education, where access to learning is based on the ability to pay.
“Access to a broad and balanced education should be a right of every child.
“The NASUWT will continue to defend state education.”
ENDS
NASUWT Press Office contacts:
Ben Padley 07785 463 119
Lena Davies 07867 392 746
Notes to editors
The NASUWT’s Annual Conference is being held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham from April 6th to the 9th.
The full text of the motion is below:
CASUALISATION OF THE WORKFORCE
Geoff Branner to move, John Allison to second:
Conference deplores the agenda of privatisation, marketisation and the trade in education.
Conference believes the application of private sector models for the organisation and management of schools will inevitably privilege the profit motive and the interests of business over and above the interests of pupils, teachers and the public.
Conference is appalled by the actions of government administrations across the UK in abnegating their democratic responsibility to assure the universal provision of quality education for all children and young people.
Conference rejects the increasing marketisation of education, which is undermining public confidence in schools, promoting job insecurity and increasing the casualisation of the teaching workforce throughout the UK.
Conference supports continued action by the National Executive to oppose privatisation and the trade in education, which is damaging to educational standards and to the future of the teaching profession.
(Executive)
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