Some schools in East consider '4-day-week' as pay and budgets squeezed
The NASUWT are calling on the government to give staff a pay rise in line with inflation
Last updated 14th Oct 2022
Some schools across the East are considering putting in place a '4-day-week', as teachers pay, and class budgets continue to feel the pinch.
It's why the NASUWT teaching union are calling on the Government to give staff a pay rise in line with inflation- claiming that teachers have seen a 'real terms' 20% cut in their salaries, since 2010.
"Teachers are providing money, food and clothing to help children"
Keith Anderson is the union's organiser for the East.
He told us that some places are going above and beyond to help those struggling- but this comes at a cost:
"Schools are offering free breakfasts to students and teachers. One school is offering free blazers to year sevens. Many are not increasing the cost of school lunches for pupils, but when you look at the levels of inflation and the prices of food, that money has got to come from somewhere. It's having to come from other budgets which mean that that money can't be spent elsewhere in schools"
"Teachers are providing money, food and clothing to help children and families deal with the deepening cost of living crisis. 6 in 10 ten teachers responded to our survey, 3/4 said they had experienced more pupils with behavioural problems and 65% of pupils didn't have the equipment they needed for lessons. So, it is a problem".
"How does that enable us to prepare young people for the future"
Mr Anderson fears their budgets are only going to get tighter in the coming weeks and months:
"We have got this mini-budget coming along. It looks as though that's going to lead to further cuts in public services and schools in particular. Where is that money going to come from? It's going to mean the loss of teaching jobs; it's going to mean the loss of support staff. How does that enable us to prepare young people for the future when we don't have the resources to deliver?"
What has the Government had to say about this?
The Department of Education says school's finances remain in a good place and the 5% pay rise offer to teachers is fair and affordable.