NUT: David Cameron at Conservative Party Conference

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech to Conservative Party Conference, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:

“The Prime Minister is wrong: adults do not need time to adjust to the Government’s educational reforms, they just don’t want or need them. Secondary Free Schools are being set up in areas where there is actually a crying need for primary places. The academy programme is developing a fragmented and unaccountable education system across England. There is also the latest YouGov poll, which shows that adults and teachers are not convinced by the Government’s proposed reforms for examinations at 16.

“If the Government is truly serious about a high quality education for all, they need to stop cutting school and local authority budgets, ensure our class sizes are reduced and stop selling off school sports fields and libraries. Schools cannot reverse serious disadvantage unless they have resources, funding and expertise provided by the local authority.

“The NUT’s view is that education is both a human right and a public good. We will continue to campaign alongside many others to ensure this Government comes to its senses and creates an education system which encompasses all children and all abilities.”