IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17July 2003
Commenting on Education Secretary CharlesClarkes statement on future funding of education, Doug McAvoy, GeneralSecretary of the NUT, said:
This is a political fudge while ourschools face teacher redundancies. The problem is our schools are short of funds. Because the Education Secretaryrefuses to remedy his funding mistakes, he continues to seek scapegoats whetherheadteachers or local education authorities.
In January the Education Secretary saidschools would have an additional 1.1 billion. That has now become 250million. Charles Clarke should explain where the missing 850 million has gonebut he refuses to do so.
The shortfall of 850 million has nothingto do with transparency. It is all to do with the Education Secretarysincompetence and the inadequacy of the funding.
The mechanism used makes no difference ifthe money is inadequate. Transparencywill not provide schools with the 850 million the Government has lost.
Mr Clarke should accept the Treasurysinvitation to use the 846 million left unspent last year. He has advisedschools to use their reserves. He should follow his own advice and use hisown.
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