SSAT, the Schools, Students and Teachers Network, supports the decision of those teachers who have chosen to go on strike.
We recognise that this decision has not been made lightly.
The ongoing underfunding – and undervaluing – of education is making it extremely difficult for schools to provide the education they want to deliver. When funding is inadequate, learning is affected by a lack of resources; schools lack access to outside services to support pupils and the workload of staff becomes unmanageable. Underfunding directly impacts on the ability of pupils to learn and the ability of teachers to do their jobs. This is hugely detrimental to the wellbeing of pupils and staff alike.
There is a deepening crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, which is already acute in some areas of the country. Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that on average teacher salaries will see a 5% drop in real terms. This is on top of an ongoing decrease in teacher pay in real terms since 2010. Teachers are being asked to do more, with reduced resources, for less pay. Inevitably this will be discouraging those considering joining the profession and disheartening those already in it.
A great teacher is always the most valuable resource we can give our young people. It is essential that we do all we can to bring new talent into the profession and support those already doing this vitally important job.
