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AIBU?

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Original poster

The government can get in the fucking bin pretending to care about education

147 replies

noblegiraffe · 17/01/2023 13:46

The government have issued guidance for schools on strike days:

Prioritise vulnerable kids (now they care? After destroying SEN and mental health services?)

Provide lunch for kids on FSM (the ones they voted not to feed during covid school holidays? And if they care about hungry kids, why have they not raised the threshold for qualifying in line with inflation? Thousands of kids going hungry because they don’t qualify as family income is over £7400, same as in 2018).

Hire supply teachers to cover striking teachers (with what money? And fuck off)

Make sure tutoring happens (using the governments’ failed National Tutoring Programme it doesn’t happen at the best of times)

The government are apparently very worried that pupils might not have teachers on strike days although they don’t give a shit that they don’t have teachers on non-strike days.

The government are very concerned that children’s educational recovery from covid will be set back - while refusing to fund the covid catch-up package that their own advisor recommended, and they have basically left children to just get on with it.

If the government actually cared about education, about vulnerable kids, about hungry kids, they’d be funding these things.

Time they put their money where their mouth is.

And if anyone asks where this money is going to come from, ask Nadhim Zahawi.

OP posts:
MistressIggi · 17/01/2023 14:29

KnittedCardi · 17/01/2023 14:18

What do the teachers who are not part of any union do on a strike day, do they just go in as normal and cover in as far as they can? Only 50% of teachers are actually in a union, so there must be some cover available??

If the building is open, they should go in and do their normal duties. They shouldn't be "covering" anything.
Any supply teacher I've spoken to supports the strike, no idea where enough supply staff to cover for NEU staff would come from.

Plumbear2 · 17/01/2023 14:29

What do we do as parents? I support their reasons but so far all we know is that some schools will open and some will not. I assume schools will tell us if the schools will be closed before day

YearoftheDrama · 17/01/2023 14:30

Plumbear2 · 17/01/2023 14:29

What do we do as parents? I support their reasons but so far all we know is that some schools will open and some will not. I assume schools will tell us if the schools will be closed before day

I'm sure individual schools will confirm once they've had a chance to look at their situation. I'm currently assuming both of mine will be off so making arrangements to cover that.

Ilovewillow · 17/01/2023 14:39

I'm assuming each school will advise of their own arrangements. As a business owner I've asked all staff to advise me of their own schools asap so that as a business we can make suitable arrangments for disruptions to staffing.

Favouritefruits · 17/01/2023 14:46

I’m happy to keep my kids at home whilst teacher strike, teachers are underpaid! The government have issued ‘guidelines’ nothing set in law so the schools can choose not to follow it which I’m sure they will, schools know which children are vulnerable and will send extra bits of food home I’m sure with out the government telling them too, just common sense.

ilovesooty · 17/01/2023 14:50

noblegiraffe · 17/01/2023 14:23

No, they will be refusing to cover for striking colleagues so as not to undermine their strike action.

Show quote history

If they have a shred of decency I certainly hope so.

caringcarer · 17/01/2023 14:59

£7400 is such a pitiful little amount. Free school meals should be for working families earning less than at least £12k a year. I don't know how they manage to feed their kids on less.

Toomanysquishmallows · 17/01/2023 15:14

Send2022 , I agree with you about the state of sen , but a lot of parents can’t afford private reports to help their children obtain appropriate provision.

Piggywaspushed · 17/01/2023 15:32

Coffeellama · 17/01/2023 13:47

Would you rather they issued no guidance?

Yes. A strike is a strike.

They now need to sit down with the unions.

This did not happen in 2008- decision were made at local levels.

The government has not yet passed its new set of anti strike laws which cite either minimum safety or minimum service levels: even they can't decide which - and yet are trying to impose them anyway. Arguably FSM and vulnerable children in safety. Supply teachers and tutoring are service, not safety.

This is the government that voted AGAINST FSM in the holidays. They literally did not care about those children then . And still don't.

Piggywaspushed · 17/01/2023 15:34

Only 50% of teachers are actually in a union

Ermm, what? Source please!

ReformedWaywardTeen · 17/01/2023 15:43

I know I will get moaned at and accused of teacher bashing but this is really worrying me.

My DD is doing exams this year, they are doing Mocks right now. 4 tests in the last two days and everyone they've cried in and written barely anything. They're so upset by it they're consider jacking in A'levels as they are convinced they will fail in summer term.

I'm trying so hard to support them but there's very little I can do. Before lockdowns they were incredibly confident and happy, now, they are anxious.

Teachers going on strike and pupils having to stay home would be the final straw. I don't think they would be able to continue.

I get they aren't respected by our government and yes, we do take them for granted. I know schools are under funded, tired out and lacking basic resources. I know they put themselves at huge risk during the height of Covid.

However, the Government won't give a shit if these kids suffer as a result of strikes. Their kids go to private school. They don't need to be concerned about resource cuts.

The people who will be most at risk are pupils.

Unlike the last couple of post Covid years, nothing has been put in place for pupils sitting exams now despite the disruption. They still have teachers out sick quite often because they are still being careful with Covid infections.

I finding it very difficult to support them right now because I worry their cause could be the final nail for my teens future chances.

Ncgirlseriously · 17/01/2023 15:48

YANBU. The whole reason so many strikes are happening is the absolute cock up of a government we’ve had for the past decade. Their method of smashing and grabbing for their rich mates was never sustainable and now we’re seeing the results.

Busybody2022 · 17/01/2023 15:54

Toomanysquishmallows · 17/01/2023 15:14

Send2022 , I agree with you about the state of sen , but a lot of parents can’t afford private reports to help their children obtain appropriate provision.

Exactly my point. We now have a two tier system even within mainstream as far as SEN is concerned

Iam4eels · 17/01/2023 15:56

ReformedWaywardTeen · 17/01/2023 15:43

I know I will get moaned at and accused of teacher bashing but this is really worrying me.

My DD is doing exams this year, they are doing Mocks right now. 4 tests in the last two days and everyone they've cried in and written barely anything. They're so upset by it they're consider jacking in A'levels as they are convinced they will fail in summer term.

I'm trying so hard to support them but there's very little I can do. Before lockdowns they were incredibly confident and happy, now, they are anxious.

Teachers going on strike and pupils having to stay home would be the final straw. I don't think they would be able to continue.

I get they aren't respected by our government and yes, we do take them for granted. I know schools are under funded, tired out and lacking basic resources. I know they put themselves at huge risk during the height of Covid.

However, the Government won't give a shit if these kids suffer as a result of strikes. Their kids go to private school. They don't need to be concerned about resource cuts.

The people who will be most at risk are pupils.

Unlike the last couple of post Covid years, nothing has been put in place for pupils sitting exams now despite the disruption. They still have teachers out sick quite often because they are still being careful with Covid infections.

I finding it very difficult to support them right now because I worry their cause could be the final nail for my teens future chances.

The government's current education policy, underfunding of schools, and undervaluing of staff is of far more risk to your child's education than four days of strike action.

Do you think teachers would be striking if there was any other option to put their point across? This has been brewing for years and the government were warned time and time again that education was suffering, school buildings were crumbling, budgets were not covering costs, staff were leaving the profession, and that it was going to reach breaking point. Well this is breaking point and the government have caused it.

MistressIggi · 17/01/2023 16:03

Speaking for my own school, over 95% are union members. TAs as well.

irbeagb88 · 17/01/2023 16:08

I really don't think the majority of parents realise how bad it is in many, many schools.

Strike days are the least of your worries. Pretty soon schools won't be able to open because they won't have the staff.

Teachers and support staff have had enough. Sick of the ridiculous hours, sick of the workload only to be told you are still shit, sick of herding feral kids and having to deal with their rude and entitled parents.

It's bad.

ReformedWaywardTeen · 17/01/2023 16:11

Iam4eels · 17/01/2023 15:56

The government's current education policy, underfunding of schools, and undervaluing of staff is of far more risk to your child's education than four days of strike action.

Do you think teachers would be striking if there was any other option to put their point across? This has been brewing for years and the government were warned time and time again that education was suffering, school buildings were crumbling, budgets were not covering costs, staff were leaving the profession, and that it was going to reach breaking point. Well this is breaking point and the government have caused it.

Show quote history

You and I both know it will start with 4 days but that won't be the end of it. The government has no intention of liasing with unions, any of them. They're not even trying to hide it. Instead of dealing with the issue, or offering a deal, they're making plans to ban strikes and allow mass sackings.

Every day right now is important. And sorry, buildings are one thing, you could have a shiny new one but it's pointless without a teacher.
Online learning did nothing for my teen, they had never experienced online schooling, and they struggled hugely. It's why we are where we are with anxiety after huge gaps in learning. So more due to strikes? It's not a prospect I can see ending well for her.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 17/01/2023 16:15

ReformedWaywardTeen please email your MP outlining your concerns about your children's education and the potential impact of strikes and ask for it to be forwarded to Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, urging her to take action.

OP posts:
Springtoautumn · 17/01/2023 16:15

I support the teachers striking. The whole point of a strike is to cause disruption! Some teachers just won’t turn up on 1st Feb and schools won’t be able to plan for this/not. Presumably that means they’ll have to take the decision to close.

Springtoautumn · 17/01/2023 16:16

Gillian Keegan is a joke though @noblegiraffe - talking about teachers demanding attention 😡

Dontevenstart · 17/01/2023 16:16

Puppers · 17/01/2023 13:50

The Tories don't want a well educated general population. Occasionally they have to throw the plebs a bone which is all any of this is.

100% this. Always.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 17/01/2023 16:17

Springtoautumn · 17/01/2023 16:16

Gillian Keegan is a joke though @noblegiraffe - talking about teachers demanding attention 😡

These people need to know that the public are not on their side. That parents are concerned.

OP posts:
Youcancallmeirrelevant · 17/01/2023 16:21

I support the teachers striking 100%. There's only a few days of strikes planned

I'm just expecting my childrens school to close for the day. I'd rather they make that decision asap instead of saying they'll open then changing minds last minute.

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 17/01/2023 16:24

the same is happening in Scotland with a completely different government who have seen education standards fall and fall over past 20 years the education gap has widened not closed despite numerous initiatives none of which seem to work

StripyHorse · 17/01/2023 16:29

DD1 is in y11, DD2 in y8. The biggest disruption is staff sickness / not being able to get subject specialists for prolonged periods.

If the government cared...
Ventilation in schools and public buildings would be improved to reduce staff and pupils absence.

Schools would be funded properly / teachers paid properly to make teaching a more attractive career. This would include better pay and conditions for supply teachers - the govt expect a ready army of teachers to cover absence but pay has been driven down by agencies, no sick pay, no access to teachers pension etc.