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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want the teachers to explain the strike

14 replies

bumpertobumper · 18/10/2013 12:30

my son is in year 1, and although delighted to have a day of was curious about the reasons. it seemed the teacher had told them it was a strike but not what that meant or why.
I have now done my best to explain, but told him to ask at school.
I fully support the right to strike, and their reasons for doing so, but aibu to expect them to explain it to the children? surely it's a good civics lesson... or is it too politically sensitive?

OP posts:
echt · 18/10/2013 12:37

I would imagine that explaining to them would amount to indoctrination. Why don't you google " why is the NASUWT on strike?" and do it yourself.

FlapJackOLantern · 18/10/2013 12:39

This ^^

LoonvanBoon · 18/10/2013 12:43

Agree with other responses. You can't seriously expect teachers to explain what's going on in current educational policy /pension reform etc. to Year 1s? And it would be seen as unacceptably politiical if they did. As far as I'm aware teachers' unions aren't allowed to send out letters / direct communications to parents, either. But it's not difficult to find out the reasons if you're interested.

Heartbrokenmum73 · 18/10/2013 12:50

We had a letter from school explaining why the strike was happening and listing all the different reasons why this was being done for our children.

I didn't read it because DM is an ex-teacher and I support teachers to hell and back in their reasons for striking. They get crapped all over and derided by people with no sense.

For the record, DM was in school every morning at 7.00, stayed until almost 6.00, then came home and carried on working most evenings, as well as weekends and school 'holidays' usually. She wasn't a lazy moaner who had stupidly long holidays, she was a hard-working mother of four (the youngest of which was SN) and the verbal abuse she got from some of the parents in her school (which I witnessed) was unbelievable.

Teachers are under-appreciated in this country.

RevelsRoulette · 18/10/2013 12:58

I bet if they did, you'd have the daily mail screaming that they were attempting to Brainwash Our Precious Children.

Complete with SadFaced Brainwashed Child.

Frostedloop · 18/10/2013 13:18

Oh come on teachers are not under appreciated in there UK! They simply have to accept that the public actually expects them to do the job they are well paid to do. I worked as a teacher for ten years before moving into research, the typical teacher does not work any harder than most people but some, and it is just some have a chip on their shoulders.

Other public sector workersworkers are also being hit hard, many worst paid too.

ilovesooty · 18/10/2013 13:25

I bet if they did, you'd have the daily mail screaming that they were attempting to Brainwash Our Precious Children

Absolutely.

Google it yourself and explain it to your child if you think it necessary.

ilovesooty · 18/10/2013 13:28

Oh come on teachers are not under appreciated in there UK! They simply have to accept that the public actually expects them to do the job they are well paid to do. I worked as a teacher for ten years before moving into research, the typical teacher does not work any harder than most people but some, and it is just some have a chip on their shoulders

I don't dare to say what I think of that for fear of being banned.

I'm also a former teacher now employed in a different field.

LoonvanBoon · 18/10/2013 15:19

Frostedloop, why did you leave such a well-paid, highly valued profession?

Jinsei · 18/10/2013 16:20

My dd is in year 4, and her teacher did explain the strike. From what dd said, it sounds like she tried to put forward both sides of the argument in a fair and balanced way, but no doubt some parents were cross that she introduced any kind of political debate into the classroom. Whatever they do, some people won't be happy!!

CreatureRetorts · 18/10/2013 16:23

They simply have to accept that the public actually expects them to do the job they are well paid to

So "they" aren't are they? Have you forgotten all the tinkering being done by governments last and present which prevents them from doing their job as there is no stability? I'm not a teacher and I can see that?

And so what if other public sector workers are being shafted. That is irrelevant unless you wish for a race to the bottom.

BatPenguin · 18/10/2013 16:26

Frostedloop I hope you weren't an English teacher.

BoneyBackJefferson · 18/10/2013 18:47

I doubt frostedloop was a teacher in recent memory.

pumpkinkitty · 18/10/2013 18:51

We're not allowed to explain about going on strike. It's akin to influencing political views etc (in the same way we would be allowed to try and convert children to a religion).

The parents, however, are free to explain a strike.

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