IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6November 2003
The National Union of Teachers is to ballotteachers, including heads and deputies, in all infant, junior and primaryschools throughout England for a boycott of the Governments Key Stage 1 and 2tests.
Ballot papers will be distributed withinthe next three weeks and the result of the ballot will be known in December.The boycott will begin in the new term when primary teachers would otherwisestart preparing for the tests.
The unanimous decision was taken by theUnions 42-strong executive in London this afternoon following a survey ofmembers views which showed that 82.5 per cent of primary teachers would back aboycott of Key Stage 1 tests and 71.4 per cent a boycott of Key Stage 2 tests.
Commenting on the decision, Doug McAvoy,NUT General Secretary, said:
The NUT has sought a meeting with theGovernment to press for a review of testing in England. It has ignored thatrequest.
Teachers in England do not understand whythey and their pupils should be treated differently from those in Scotland andWales. In Scotland following a review, national tests are to be replaced byteacher assessment. In Wales Key Stage 1 tests have been abandoned and a reviewof Key Stage 2 and 3 tests is underway.
The stubbornness of the Government inrefusing to discuss with us a similar review for England will add to the angerof teachers.
It is only the Government that fails torecognise the inadequacy of these tests and the damage they cause to childrenseducation not least because of the constraining affect they have on teachersprofessional judgement. Across the country teachers and parents are tired ofthe disruption these tests cause to their childrens education.
When the boycott goes ahead, no childseducation will be disrupted. Instead teachers will be able to use theirprofessional judgement to their pupils benefit and in support of their primarypurpose of educating children.
At Key Stage 3, the Government now plansto introduce a new set of league tables based on test results. In the light of this change, the Union willdo further work with members in secondary schools prior to a ballot to boycottKey Stage 3 tests.
In recognition of the review in Wales, theballot will be confined to members in England. When we know the results of thatreview, the position of teachers in Wales will be looked at again.
E N D PR83/03
For further information contact: Olive Forsythe tel: 020 7380 4706 (office) or outside office hours,07879 480061.