The Live Wire



Press Release

NUT comment on the General Election

6 April 2010

Commenting on the announcement of the general election, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union, said;

"I am seriously concerned that politicians are not on the same page as parents and teachers.

"The NUT is not affiliated to any political party. What we stand for is ensuring the best possible education system for our children and young people is in place.

"I do not believe Ed Balls, Michael Gove or David Laws can honestly say, with hand on heart, that the parents they meet are clamouring for Academies or to start up their own 'free schools'? When I talk to parents they tell me they want their child to do well and be happy at a good school down the road.

"Teachers will not stand by and see their pay and pensions attacked. Their workload is already unacceptable and needs to be reduced. Teachers are working more additional unpaid hours than any other profession. Whichever government comes to power needs to heed this message.

"Politicians would do themselves a great favour if they stopped this obsession with structures. The next government needs to start trusting the profession and end the relentless imposition of initiatives, tests and targets.

"We need an honest and open debate during the campaign about how best to raise standards in schools and what education should look like in the 21st century."



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National Union of Teachers

National Union of Teachers

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