Embargo: 12.00 hours,
Tuesday 16December 2003
Commenting on theoutcome of the NUTs ballot of its members teaching at Key Stages 1 and 2, DougMcAvoy, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said:
Rarely has there beensuch a large and positive response to a ballot for industrial action.
Over 35,000 membersvoted but that is not enough under the Unions own stringent rules to sanctiona boycott.
Yet Government shouldbe under no illusion that the strength of feeling against tests remainsundiminished. The members who voted yeswere prepared to take industrial action to end the tests. Those who voted no or failed to vote believethe tests should go.
The teaching profession remains convincedthat the tests constrain their professional judgement and undermine childrenslearning.
The NUT will continueto press its concerns about the damaging effects of the tests. It will pursue those concerns in discussionswith the other teachers organisations and in dialogue with Government. Early in the New Year the NUT will seek thesupport of parents and governors for its campaign.
A fundamentalindependent review of testing as undertaken in Scotland and in place in Walesis the best way forward.
The NUT is the onlyorganisation, through surveys and ballots, to provide a voice for teachersabout the tests.
The NUT is proud ofits record and, on behalf of its members will continue to pursue policies thathave at their heart the benefit of children and young people and theireducation.
EN D S pr.98.03
For furtherinformation contact the NUT Press Office on: 020 7380 4706
Number of ballotpapers distributed 103,729
Number voting Yes 30,452(86.2% of valid vote)
Number voting NO 4,875(13.8% of valid vote)
Total 35,327(100% of valid vote)
The number of thosevoting as a percentage of those entitled to vote: 34.05%
The question, whichwas used in the ballot:
In order to protestagainst the extra workload and constraints upon professional judgement imposedby directions to teach for National Curriculum tests and tasks at Key Stage 1and National Curriculum tests at Key Stage 2,
are you willing to take action short of strike action by refusing tocomply with such directions or undertake work required in consequence of theNational Curriculum testing arrangements, including any direction toparticipate directly in preparation and assessment arrangements for theNational Curriculum tests and tasks in your school?
The relevant Unionrule is as follows:
a) that the number of those voting in favour of theaction is greater than 50 per cent of those eligible to vote in the area(s) orschool(s) selected: AND
b) that the number of thosevoting in favour of the action is at least sixty-six and two
thirds per cent of those actuallyvoting.