PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH ON EDUCATION

31 October 2007

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech on education Steve Sinnott General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:

“This is a speech which is about bringing down the barriers which prevent all young people succeeding. I welcome his vision of success for all. The teaching profession is up for this aspiration.

“I now want to see some more flesh on the bones.

“His goal of narrowing the social gap must be accompanied by a recognition that the commitment to standards not structures is incompatible with choice and diversity.

“You cannot have a boutique of different types of school such as Academies. This leads to social segregation. Those with the capacity to choose elbow out the disadvantaged. That is the lesson which should be learnt from  Scandinavia. 

“Gordon Brown’s commitment to keeping assessment under review must be followed through with a fundamental and independent review of damaging tests, targets and tables.

“Arbitrary targets accompanied by threats of school closure demoralise not motivate. The target which inspires is eradicating illiteracy amongst all young people.

“Gordon Browns welcome commitment to a world class teaching profession in our country cannot be realised by continuing below inflation pay awards. The brightest and the best will not be attracted by second class salaries”.