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NASUWT: Secretary of state’s speech encourages schools to break the law

NASUWT: Secretary of state’s speech encourages schools to break the law

Responding to the speech by the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove at the Conservative Party Conference, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union said:

"This attack on teachers taking lawful industrial action in defence of their statutory contractual rights and entitlements will be greeted with deep concern by the profession.

The Secretary of State's comments are inciting schools to break the law and flout teachers' terms and conditions.

"The action short of strike action by members of the NASUWT and NUT is ensuring that teachers' time is focussed on delivering the highest standards of teaching and learning for every pupil.

"Michael Gove appears to want to return schools to a past where teachers spent their days standing at photocopiers or undertaking bureaucratic form filling, rather than concentrating on teaching and learning.

"Once again he is talking down the achievements of all schools which have secured significant year-on-year increases in pupil achievement and narrowed the attainment gap between pupils from all backgrounds."