IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 January 2003
Commenting on the speech of David Miliband,Education Minister, to the North of England Education Conference in Warrington,Doug McAvoy, NUT General Secretary said:
I welcome the Ministers support for thebrain surgeon operating with a well-equipped and well-trained nursing team. TheNUT wants a well-equipped and well-trained support team working with theteacher.
If the Minister amends his proposed packageon this basis there can be agreement.
The NUT will not accept unqualified peoplehaving responsibility for whole class teaching as currently proposed by theGovernment. Such an approach will do nothing to improve standards. Nor will itmotivate teachers in the way necessary if they are to enthuse students andprovide pace, excitement, variety, encouragement and even fun in their lessons.
For teachers to be fully effective,excessive workload must be reduced. Teachers must be given time during the pupilday for marking and preparation. They must be freed from that work which neednot be done by a teacher. They must be supported by other adults.
The ongoing discussions do provide anhistoric opportunity to transform teaching, revitalise teachers and improvestandards.
The NUT is confident its approach has thesupport of teachers and parents. It is the NUTs bus which is going in theright direction.
E N D PR2/03