NUT: It is hard to see how the Education Secretary can justify spending tax payers? money in this way
Cost and Impact of Academies and Free Schools
Commenting on NUT research into the cost and impact of the Coalition Government?s academies and free schools programme, Christine Blower General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers? union said:
It is quite extraordinary that in these times of cut backs and austerity the Government has found £337.2 million to support its academies and free schools programme. Free Schools represent a tiny proportion of England?s schools yet there are 126 full time junior staff and seven senior Department for Education (DfE) staff working on the programme. Free Schools are absorbing an increasing proportion of DfE staff resources at a time when the Department as a whole is shrinking.
It is hard to see how the Education Secretary can justify spending tax payers? money in this way. Evidence does not show that academies or Free Schools will raise standards.
This programme will create a chaotic and unaccountable education system. Michael Gove must urgently rethink this policy which is neither needed nor wanted and is a dreadful waste of public resources and money?.
END pr62-2012
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