Teachers back on strike across Norfolk after rejecting pay offer
National Education Union members and others are on strike again after rejecting the Government's latest offer
Last updated 27th Apr 2023
Many teachers in Norfolk are back out on picket lines today, in an going dispute with government over pay, conditions and funding.
National Education Union members and others are on strike again after rejecting the Government's latest offer of a 4.5% pay rise and a one-off lump sum.
"There are teachers using foodbanks"
Amy Clarke teaches in King's Lynn:
"We have had a real terms pay cut of over 20%, over the last ten years. There are teachers using foodbanks and I have to work 30 extra hours of doing private tutoring a week, just to get by.
"But there's no point giving teachers a pay rise when it's coming out of school's ever decreasing budgets.
"If they just keep on saying that schools will have to fund it, then it means that teaching assistants will be the first to go, generally. They do an amazing job and they are already underpaid.
"It will mean that class-sizes will get bigger, if teachers lose their jobs- and this is when classes are already at 35 plus in many schools".
"We are losing days of pay to do this"
Annie also teaches in King's Lynn:
"We do the most unpaid overtime in any job. It is time that we are properly paid for what we do, it's been a long time since we've had a decent pay rise.
"We have got staff that cannot afford to drive, we have got staff going to foodbanks. Teaching is a profession where you need a degree".
"I get this is disruptive, I have children myself. But it's not a light decision because we are losing days of pay to do this. That makes it tighter for us to cover our bills, tighter to pay our mortgage.
"But if we don't stand now and try and get what we need, this is going to continue and we are going to be in the same situation in a years time".
What has the Government said?
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Any strike action is hugely damaging. We have made a fair and reasonable pay offer to teachers recognising their hard work and commitment.
“Thanks to the further £2 billion pounds we are investing in our schools, next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history.”