National Education Union (NEU) teachers will hold 2 further days of strike action on Wednesday and Friday this week July with picket lines likely outside some Island schools.
The continued aim is to win a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise with teachers believing that schools cannot be allowed to experience any more cuts to services. In April, a pay and funding offer from Government was rejected by 98% of NEU members on a 66% turnout. Other unions held similar votes with equally compelling results.
Commenting on this action, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“This week teachers will be giving up a day’s salary for the 7th and 8th time this year, fighting to improve teacher recruitment and retention. This shows their commitment to improving the learning experience received by all learners. Despite losing a day’s pay, some members will be supporting long planned evening events in schools, e.g. a primary prom.”
“Teachers are reluctant to take action, but feel they have no choice when faced with a Government refusing to negotiate on the issue of a fully-funded pay increase. This is in stark contrast to the governments in both Wales and Scotland where settlements were reached months ago.”
“Island teachers have described the Education Secretary’s inaction as irresponsible and reckless. Indeed, some are so incensed that on 5th July some Island teachers will join the march on Parliament, timed to coincide with Prime Minister’s Question Time.”
“In April, Gillian Keegan said we must wait for the pay recommendations of the School Teacher Review Body. In May leaks suggested 6.5%. She refuses to publish the report. Her deliberate lack of cooperation is causing further chaos.”
“Playing politics is hurting our education system. It is not the responsible behaviour of a Minister, who continues to make our young people and staff suffer and should not be the norm.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Teachers previously took strike action back on 27th April and 2nd May. On that occasion many teachers visited local secondary schools to voice their demands.
So why do I get a fine when I take my 100% attendance child on holiday yet this useless bunch forces disrupted education without a single fine??
Why would you send your kid to people you consider a useless bunch in the first place? Homeschool your kid or get a private tutor if you think public teachers are useless.
Yeah, but,…
Every day they strike, they loose a day’s pay,.. which is probably a lot more than you get fined
and in ‘real terms’, they’ve been given a 15% pay cut in the last 12 years (according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies), so I think that’s definately more than you’d get fined…
(how well has your pay kept up with inflation ?)
Playing politics is hurting our education system. It is not the responsible behaviour of a Minister, who continues to make our young people and staff suffer and should not be the norm.
no, it is the unrealistic demands of teachers, who won’t work, that deprive the kids of the education they deserve – then again, i guess there is one positive – if the teachers are on strike, they won’t be indoctrinating the kids with woke, LGBTQ BS
“responsible behaviour of a Minister”… since when was anyone in this government ‘responsible’…
They’re all lying, cheating, corrupt, freeloaders who wouldn’t understand truth if was handed to them in a brown envelope…
People on the island: we cannot build more houses because [among other things] public services don’t have enough people!
Public services: fight for pay to follow… you know… inflation (so no upgrade to standard of living, literally just stagnation) so that people don’t quit those roles en masse
People on the island: HOW DARE THEY!!!1one
Smoking the pot again luv
Nope, homie, just supporting people right to protest in a democracy.
What does this even mean? Incoherent ramblings of a mad person.
oh dear,.. if you can’t understand that (it’s not difficult), then perhaps your teachers weren’t paid enough when you were at school
She is probably a woke teacher.
Disgusting behavior. They get paid to much anyway for what they do, nocking off at 3 and having the whole summer off.
No wonder are kids are so badly educated.
I’m going to presume you don’t actually know any teachers?
‘knocking of at 3’ hahahaha, they wish!
yes, they have the pupils until 3 but they do not finish at 3, there’s marking, planning, meetings, courses. This also is done in the whole of summer.
maybe if you knew any teachers you would understand that it’s not a 9-3, part time, job!
your ignorance is outstanding! Bravo!
Don’t do a very good job do they. The acidemic level of kids in the isle of wight is terible.
Do people really think being a teacher is so good? If yes – why there is such a shortage of staff in education?
Exactly, if it was as islander imagines (high pay/low work) then people would be flocking to the profession
Because “Those who can do; those who can’t, teach.”
Typical ill informed comment.
Do you really think that teachers do nothing after pupils go home in the evening and during holidays?
Try telling that to any teacher.
Really – one teacher said to me – yippee -that is it for six weeks
Here we go again with self-centred people! They should all be sacked, then they will learn what it means to work together, WITH IS AVAILABLE IN THE KITTY, for the benefit of all not just a few time wasters
Highly paid , clearly no interest in the kids education, as shown by results. Fourteen weeks holiday plus strikes, time they had a pay cut.
They have had a pay cut,.. 15% in 12 years (of tory rule),.. I think that’s the problem…
they have seen their pay increase every year – without fail
oh god,.. you’ve been listening to the Tory lies & drivel again…..
Is that the guy from Motherland on the right?
One of those signs actually reads “Teachers Need Arrays”. A really odd attempt at being funny. How about teachers need a kick up their “Rs” instead?
Strikes eh? Do they ever work, especially on the Isle of Wight?
Yes the teachers are probably desperate and see this action as a last resort, but will it achieve anything? Publicity? Public sympathy? Possibly, but that is about it!
I am sure the schools would love to pay their teachers more money, most management in schools were once teachers themselves, they know the struggles, but their hands are tied.
Unless the government can be convinced to release more money to schools these protests are a waste of time.
The teaching unions need to fight for them at a national level to get more money. These localized protests achieve nothing and its the innocent children that suffer, not the misers in Westminster
Public sector workers have been paid too much for years. A legacy of Labour’s free spending ways when they were in power all those years ago. There is no money to pay teachers more even if they deserved it. Indeed, how can the government justify paying more money to teachers when they already get great holidays, easy hours, and a decent pension. If you take into account all of the holidays and leave, they are on a great hourly rate. Furthermore, how can island teachers ask for a pay rise when they consistently deliver results below UK standards. The worst in the UK in fact!
“when they already get great holidays, easy hours, and a decent pension”
Yeah?? but it’s still a pi$$ in the ocean compared with what the MPs give themselves
if you think Teachers have it so easy,. how about you try it for a few years….
… because I am capable of so much more than teaching. Others are not and that is why they teach. That and the long holidays, short days, low expectations, etc…
Teachers! Every weekend off check.3weeks off for Christmas and easter check.Minimum 4weeks off for half terms check.Minimum 6 weeks off for summer check.every bank holiday off check.Numerous days off for training check and now more time off for striking.If you don’t like it get a proper job you muppets and stop whinging.
“Every weekend off .. .3weeks off for Christmas and easter … 4weeks off for half terms … 6 weeks off for summer”
you’re obviously not a teacher are you ??
No.I am unable to work due to my drug dependency.I have to get by on my incapacity and other benefits that don’t even come to £450 a week.You try living on that I’ve even had to cut down on my trips to the pub and bookies.
Considering the level of education over here is so behind the rest of the country you’d think they would make every effort to stay and teach these youngsters. Haven’t they lost enough schooling already through covid and various extra bank Holidays. They should be an example to the younger generation not stub their schooling even more .
You are confusing “level of education” with “level of academic achievement”. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!
Overpaid underworked If you don’t like it get a different job with 20 weeks holiday (you won’t find one).Teachers what a bunch of fazy luckers.
Can’t see them getting the usual amount of vouchers and presents, due to parents losing wages due to strikes!!!!!!
I know several parents who have lost money or had to pay someone to have the children….
Also firms need the staff to be at work, and be reliable!!!!!
Strikes alter that reliability…..
Here we go again so is it OK for teachers to go on strike during school term harming their education but don’t get fine for wen someone took their child out of school during school term to go on holiday and git fine for how’s that fare
Don’t they care about the kids they are supposed to be teaching?