Funding pledged to Redbridge schools is a political plaster said teacher’s union representative
Teachers and families attending the Stand Up to School Cuts picnic on Christchurch Green in Wanstead. Picture Ken Mears. - Credit: Archant
A teachers’ union representative has called the £1.3 billion announced by the government a political band aid.
Secretary for education, Justin Greening, this week revealed her proposals to give school additional money over the course of two years.
Kash Malisk of Redbridge’s National Union of Teachers branch said that while they welcome more money, it is not enough.
“The government have destroyed teaching, just like the NHS, to save money.” he told the Recorder.
“There are schools in Redbridge where teaching assistants are delivering lessons instead of teachers and that is not teaching.
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“It is band aid politics, and educations is a ticking time bomb.”
Mr Malik said the staff shortage in schools is only going to get worse and he has already had lots of Redbridge teachers speaking to him saying they “can’t take it anymore” due to the workload and salary not rising.
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MP for Ilford South, Mike Gapes, said the additional funding promised by the government is a “smoke and mirrors exercise”.
“There is additional money for schools but it is not really new money as it is moved from other budgets like those for new buildings and It is insufficient to deal with the long term problem.
“The government still plan a funding formula which will take money away from London – Our local schools will still face problems”.
Ms Greening said her plans will deliver the “biggest improvement to the school system for well over a decade” and together with teachers and schools across the country, she believes that her government can raise standards and give every child the best possible opportunities for the future.
“It will mean an increase in the basic amount that every pupil will get, protected funding for those with high needs and will ensure every local authority is in a position to give schools a cash increase through the new formula,” she explained.
She also unveiled plans for a new national funding forum – the algorithm used to work out how much each school around the UK receives from the government.
