From Brent National Education Union
NEU members across Brent are striking this week in the fight for a fully funded pay rise in education. This follows multiple “restructures” in Brent primary schools which have led to redundancies.
Teachers across Brent will be on picket lines this Wednesday and Friday as part of a national strike campaign across England. Cuts to funding in schools and non-funded pay awards have led to redundancies in several Brent schools this term.
Teachers and supporters will be on picket lines at 20 Brent schools this week and many more will attend a demonstration in Westminster this Wednesday.
Jenny Cooper of Brent NEU and the NEU national executive said:
This government does not care about the dire state of our schools- our staffing shortages, our increased class sizes and our lack of money for basic resources. They do not care that those who were key workers in the pandemic are now being made redundant and our SEND kids are being left without adequate support. Well we say “Enough!”- we will not accept this for education- we believe another world is possible.
The statement highlights the struggle for a fully funded pay rise in education, which is essential in addressing the dire state of schools. The fact that multiple "restructures" in Brent primary schools have resulted in redundancies reveals the capitalist system's tendency to prioritize profit over the well-being of teachers and students.
ReplyDeleteThe cuts to funding in schools and non-funded pay awards demonstrate the capitalist government's disregard for the vital resources needed for quality education. These cuts have directly led to redundancies in several Brent schools, exacerbating staffing shortages and increasing class sizes. This not only negatively impacts the teachers but also compromises the quality of education for students.
The decision of teachers and supporters to go on strike and organize picket lines at 20 Brent schools reflects their determination to fight against these unjust conditions. Strikes serve as a collective action to demand fair treatment, adequate resources, and proper support for both teachers and students.
The reference to key workers in the pandemic being made redundant and the lack of support for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children further exposes the failures of the capitalist system. It is evident that profit-driven policies prioritize economic interests over the well-being and development of individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable and in need of additional support.
By stating, "we believe another world is possible," the statement expresses a Marxist perspective that calls for a fundamental transformation of the education system. It recognizes that the current capitalist system perpetuates inequality and fails to prioritize the needs of educators and students. Instead, it advocates for a society where education is fully funded, resources are abundant, and the well-being of all individuals, including teachers and students, is prioritized.
In conclusion, the statement from Brent National Education Union highlights the struggles faced by teachers in Brent schools and emphasizes the need for systemic change. A Marxist critique would emphasise the exploitative nature of the capitalist system, which prioritises profit over the well-being and development of educators and students. It calls for a reimagining of education that is centered on equity, adequate funding, and support for all members of the education community.