Just to be really clear. My original post was a joke, it was sarcastic! Sorry if it wasn't actually funny for those reading it. But that was my intention.
To be really clear I was fed up with people constantly posting to ask teachers if a lockdown was imminent as if teachers had some secret info. That really, really bothers me because it signifies to me that there is some weird residual belief that teachers are privileged or elite.
For decades now teachers have been trying to convey to people that although there is a Victorian belief that teachers are paid well for doing very little, in fact we are bottom of the heap.
I would like to extend this rant say that I am not a school teacher. I work in further education. I would like to share the following facts with you. I have tried sharing them before, only to be told I am lying or exaggerating. However, it's the truth.
- In further education colleges we have had a 30 percent cut in funding. Far, far more than every other education sector
- In our department there has been no reduction in students but we have gone from having 8 managers to ONE manager
- Every term for the last 5 years or so I have asked colleagues that work out their actual hourly pay. It averages about £7 per hour. All of us are graduates with post graduate certificates or diplomas. I have in addition an MA and a doctorate (PhD) I earn £7 per hour. Have a little think about that
- In my college FIVE people have died of covid since March. Not one of them over the age of 55. Four of them no underlying conditions at all.
So. Let that sink in. People with degrees, post graduate diplomas are working for £7 per hour with a high risk of death. On top of that they are not 'heroes' no PPE, very low pay, but invisible.
Next time you are tempted to think teachers as privileged please stop and think. School teachers have huge responsibilities and are not paid much. I have taught in both schools and universities. In comparison, teaching in further education is far, far, far harder. Lower paid and much more risky in terms of catching covid.
Is there anybody out there with a post graduate degree, 15 years experience and working for £7 per hour with a high risk of covid?
Spare a thought for us privileged teachers.
I know that nobody wants to hear this. For most people, teachers are rich and privileged and on top of that very few people understand what further education is. Well FE trains people to understand IT, work in construction, be carpenters and electricians, cut hair, improve everybody's numeracy and literacy skills and countless other essential things vitally needed in our economy.
I wonder if you know that people working my in this field with post graduate degrees earn £7 per hour and have a high risk of dying of covid?