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Teachers' unions warn of 'assault on public education' Teachers' union to hear calls for strike in June
(about 17 hours later)
The two biggest teachers' unions meet for their annual conferences this weekend, with the prospect of calls for strike action over pay and pensions. The biggest teachers' union is to hear calls for national strike action in England and Wales this summer term.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the NASUWT are gathering in Brighton and Birmingham. The National Union of Teachers, meeting for its annual conference, is to consider a strike over pay and workload in the week beginning 23 June.
The conferences follow last month's strike by the NUT which disrupted schools in England and Wales. The proposed strike would follow a national demonstration on 21 June.
"Teacher morale is at a dangerously low ebb," said NUT general secretary Christine Blower. Delegates will vote on Saturday on the plans for industrial action - which accuse the government of a "bullying and destructive approach to education".
NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates accused the government of a "relentless assault on public education and the teaching profession". When the NUT held a one-day strike last month, the Department for Education said it had only closed 12% of schools, but had "disrupted parents' lives, held back children's education and damaged the reputation of the profession".
'Sorry record' Public campaign
The motion to be debated by the NUT conference in Brighton calls for co-ordination with other unions, but says it would be willing to take strike action alone.
There are GCSE and A-level exams scheduled to be taken on the first three days of that week.
But the union's general secretary Christine Blower says strike action "will not disrupt exams" and that any staff who need to supervise an exam will be given exemptions from taking part in industrial action.
The conference motion also calls for a lobby of Parliament on 10 June and a broad-based campaign to challenge changes to pay and pensions and the government's education policy.
It calls for a national demonstration in London and efforts to take the union's message on education to the public, using Twitter and Facebook.
"Teacher morale is at a dangerously low ebb," says Ms Blower.
"Changes to pay, pensions and a working week for many teachers of 60 hours is driving many out of the profession."
The NASUWT is also gathering for its annual conference in Birmingham.
General secretary Chris Keates has accused the government of a "relentless assault on public education and the teaching profession".
Ms Keates said that with a general election next year the conference would "be the opportunity to send a strong message to parents, the public and politicians about the impact of four years of the coalition government's education policies".Ms Keates said that with a general election next year the conference would "be the opportunity to send a strong message to parents, the public and politicians about the impact of four years of the coalition government's education policies".
She described these policies as a "sorry record".She described these policies as a "sorry record".
Last month's NUT strike followed a series of regional and national walkouts by teachers over pay, pensions and conditions. Top graduates
In the past year the NUT and NASUWT have held a joint campaign of regional strikes. Delegates at both conferences are expected to condemn the government's introduction of performance-related pay and changes to pensions.
The NASUWT did not join the national strike in March. Debates will focus on teachers' workload and its effect on morale and recruitment. There are likely to be criticisms of Ofsted and calls for more protection of teachers from the misuse of social media.
But delegates at both conferences are expected to condemn the government's introduction of performance-related pay and changes to pensions.
The debates will focus on teachers' workload and its effect on morale and recruitment. There are likely to be criticisms of Ofsted and calls for more protection of teachers from the misuse of social media.
Both unions are expected to debate the use of staff without teaching qualifications.Both unions are expected to debate the use of staff without teaching qualifications.
Long hours The government says the changes to pay, such as introducing performance pay, will allow heads to reward good teachers.
Ms Blower said: "The changes to the curriculum and examination reforms as well as their obsession with the tests and targets for children as young as two is ruining education.
"Teacher morale is at a dangerously low ebb.
"Changes to pay, pensions and a working week for many teachers of 60 hours is driving many out of the profession."
The government's approach to school place planning and the free schools programme also figure prominently on the agendas of both conferences as do "record levels of youth unemployment, child poverty and homelessness".
The government says the changes will allow heads to pay good teachers more.
A Department for Education spokesman said teaching had never been more attractive.A Department for Education spokesman said teaching had never been more attractive.
"Recent figures show there have never been more people teaching in England's classrooms and there are now more top graduates entering the profession than ever before with a record 96% of teachers now holding a degree."Recent figures show there have never been more people teaching in England's classrooms and there are now more top graduates entering the profession than ever before with a record 96% of teachers now holding a degree.
"We have reformed teachers' pay so that heads can reward the most effective teachers who get the best out of their pupils."We have reformed teachers' pay so that heads can reward the most effective teachers who get the best out of their pupils.
"Our reforms are putting teachers in the driving seat."Our reforms are putting teachers in the driving seat.
"Through academies and free schools we are giving heads and teachers more power over what happens in the classroom and freeing them from central bureaucracy and interference by politicians."Through academies and free schools we are giving heads and teachers more power over what happens in the classroom and freeing them from central bureaucracy and interference by politicians.
"This means teachers can get on with their jobs and parents can be confident teachers are focused on ensuring the best possible outcomes for their children.""This means teachers can get on with their jobs and parents can be confident teachers are focused on ensuring the best possible outcomes for their children."