The future direction of the NASUWT will be thrown open to members for discussion after the national executive agreed to send out a paper on the way ahead for the teaching union.

The paper looks at the present situation in education and considers ways for teachers' unions to meet the challenges ahead.

The question is posed of a possible merger with the other TUC affiliated teacher unions, ATL and NUT, in the light of the increasing co-operation between the unions in recent years.

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "I am surprised but delighted that Eamonn O'Kane is, through a paper, generating a debate on professional unity among the NASUWT members. The NUT's position is well known. The NUT is prepared to go out of business in favour of a new organisation if there is a similar willingness on the part of the NASUWT. A new teachers' organisation for all teachers, bringing together members of ATL, NASUWT and NUT, would provide a powerful and persuasive voice for all teachers."I hope that the reaction of NASUWT members is positive and that it will lead to a joint ballot or simultaneous ballots of our respective members. I am confident such a ballot would produce an overwhelming majority in favour of a single union for all teachers. For now it would be inappropriate and unhelpful for the NUT to intrude in the internal debate within the NASUWT."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

A spokesman for the Professional Association of Teachers told ePolitix.com: "Any possible merger is a matter for the other unions concerned. PAT is independent and not affiliated to the TUC - and will remain so. Its members do not take industrial action. PAT also includes the 'whole team' of support staff, childcarers, head teachers, lecturers and classroom teachers.

"However, the creation of one 'teachers'' union is impractical. Smaller units are more practical, personal and user-friendly. Let's look at the practicalities. Some unions oppose the recognition of classroom assistants as fellow professionals and will not include them - or head teachers - as members.

"What about industrial action? NASUWT and NUT threaten strikes, while ATL is more moderate. What about the Welsh and head teachers' unions? Like PAT, NASUWT works in Scotland and Northern Ireland too.

"The teacher unions should, and do, work together. However, unions can co-operate successfully with a common purpose without becoming a monolithic, unwieldy entity."