NASUWT: Attacks on state education will hamper life chances of women and girls
The impact of the Coalition’s assault on state education will seriously hamper the future life chances of women and girls, the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, will assert at the TUC Women’s Conference.
The removal of the entitlement of all young people to a broad and balanced curriculum and the ability of academies and free schools to engage in covert practices to select students risks entrenching inequality in our schooling system, the NASUWT will tell the Conference which begins today (Wednesday) in London.
The NASUWT will also highlight the fact that women, who make up the majority of the teaching profession, are also facing growing attacks on their pay, pensions and working conditions as a result of the Coalition Government’s assault on state education.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“The major social and economic gains achieved for women and girls as a result of a state education system which is publically accountable and free at the point of access are being systematically closed down.
“The increasing marketisation of the schools system is leading to a two tier education system where parents and children are being selected on their ability to pay.
“Fundamental entitlements of children and young people to be taught by a qualified teacher and to have access to a broad and balanced curriculum are being stripped away.
“This is a complete betrayal of our children and young people and risks entrenching inequality in our society for decades to come.
“This is why the NASUWT has been engaged in an ongoing campaign of industrial action since 1 December 2011 to defend teacher professionalism and to fight for an education system which provides all children and young people, regardless of their background, with the opportunity to succeed.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
NASUWT members have been engaged in an ongoing campaign of industrial action since 1 December 2011 to defend their pay, pensions and working conditions and to tackle the issues of excessive workload and job loss. More information can be found at www.nasuwt.org.uk/IndustrialAction
The TUC Women’s Conference is being held at Congress House in London from 13-16 March.
Copies of the motions which the NASUWT is taking to the Conference are available on request.
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