IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4 November 2002

NUT members survey on higher-level classroom assistantsteaching classes

The National Union of Teachers is surveying the views of nearly 210,000*of its members on their attitude to Government plans for Reforming the schoolworkforce.

In particular the Union wants to know members views on Government plansto allow unqualified higher level teaching assistants to cover for absentteachers and to take on teaching work without a teacher being present in theclassroom.

The survey form covers all aspects of the Governments proposalsincluding the provision of administrative support and classroom assistantsacting as behaviour managers, careers advisers and exam invigilators.

In a letter to members accompanying thesix-page questionnaire, the Unions General Secretary, Doug McAvoy, says manyof the Governments proposals are uncontroversial. Others, however, willchange significantly the roles currently provided by support staff and teachingassistants, says Mr McAvoy.

The NUT has fought consistently for anall-graduate, professionally trained teaching force and for professionaljudgement and expertise to be at the center of developments in education. TheGovernments proposals for teaching are profound. They will affect allteachers, including supply teachers. They will affect you.

On each of the 25 questions, members areasked to give their views on a five-point range from strongly agree to stronglydisagree. Survey forms must be returnedby December 2 for independent analysis by Dr Sean Neill of Warwick UniversitysInstitute of Education.

The Union has emphasised to Government itsopposition to unqualified assistants acting as teachers. It believes such amove will undermine the quality of provision in our schools, putting at riskthe education of our young people.

Pupils, parents and teachers will notpraise the Government for diminishing the educational and professionalqualifications needed to teach the nations children. The results of thissurvey will, I have no doubt, give a clear message to the Government of whereit can count on support and where it is going wrong, said Mr McAvoy.

*Members excluded from the survey are, forexample, those in independent schools, community homes and educational administration.

E N D PR.85/02