NUT News 24:
Getting Better
Government begins to acknowledge scale of teacher shortage crisis
The Government has told the School Teachers' Review Body that, in January 2001, there were 4,980 vacancies for full-time teaching posts, "of at least one term's duration". The counting of only vacancies lasting at least one term means that the true number of vacancies was considerably more.
This beginning of an acknowledgement by government of the scale of the teacher shortage crisis is significant. It results directly from the work done by the NUT in revealing the ways in which schools have attempted to compensate for unfilled vacancies.
Government recognises Cover demands on teachers
In her evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body, the Secretary of State, "recognises the shortcomings in a time of supply difficulties of a provision in the Pay and Conditions document that appears to require teachers to cover indefinitely without additional reward." The Government admits that its recognition stems from the cover to contract industrial action undertaken earlier this year by the NUT and the NASUWT.
This is a welcome recognition of the demands on teachers to provide cover. The Government suggests full use of pay flexibilities to avoid children being sent home. The NUT believes, however, that the workload presently carried by teachers is excessive and that adding to it makes it even more excessive. Additional pay would provide compensation but teachers should be able to decide to take compensatory time in lieu.
Use it or lose it
The 'New Flexibilities on Cover' arrangements, agreed with the Employers, provide for compensatory time off where teachers provide cover beyond the limits in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions document. This solution addresses workload. NUT members should keep records of all demands made of them to provide cover, including loss of non-contact time and the admission to their classes of pupils from other classes. Compensatory time off in respect of cover beyond the limits should be banked up and claimed within four weeks of it being incurred.
If you don't use it you'll lose it!
General Secretary, Doug McAvoy, said: "Recognising that problems exist is the first step towards finding solutions. The NUT is seeking contractual changes to protect all teachers from excessive workload and an independent inquiry into teachers' pay and conditions. Progress is being made but no inquiry has yet been agreed. The NUT has sought a meeting with the other teachers' organisations on the steps to be taken to further the resolution jointly agreed by TUC affiliated teachers' organisations in their conferences earlier this year which seeks an overall limit of 35 hours of working time per week."
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