Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teachers a species in danger, says study

Ben Russell Education Correspondent
Thursday 16 September 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

TEACHERS ARE increasingly an endangered species, according to a study published yesterday to back a "substantial" pay claim for classroom staff.

Too few young teachers are being taken on to balance those likely to retire in the next 10 to 15 years, suggests analysis of recruitment figures by Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson of Liverpool University.

The study, commissioned by the National Union of Teachers, found that two-thirds of staff were aged over 40 and one in five was over 50. Only 17 per cent are under 30.

Ministers hope proposals for performance-related pay in their Green Paper on the future of teaching will make the job more attractive to graduates.

Professor Smithers said: "Schools have been filling their vacancies, but they have been applying a sticking plaster for quite a long time. They are nearing the point where they will snap and have to make increas- ing use of supply staff. Supply teachers, however good they are, do not provide the continuity that is essential to good education. The Government understands this, but the $64,000 question is whether the reforms will attract more graduates."

The joint submission by six unions to the School Teachers' Pay Review Body does not specify a figure for the pay claim, but makes plain staff will accept a settlement only if it is above the inflation rate. The NUT has added demands for statutory limits on class sizes and a guarantee of 20 per cent non-teaching time for all staff.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in