ATL COMMENT ON QUEEN’S SPEECH – EDUCATION ASPECTS

6 November 2007

Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“It’s a huge relief that there isn’t a major education bill in the Queen’s speech this year.  Teachers, lecturers and other education staff have already got enough changes from the Government on their plates without having to deal with any more.

“Today’s big challenge is for employers and further education colleges to work together and provide the right training for those young people who are currently not in employment, education or training.  And we do mean the right training – to give them skills they will find useful for work and their future lives.

“It’s a shame we still have to remind the Government that it needs to end the discrimination against FE lecturers and finally get round to paying them the same rate as those teaching the over 16s in schools.

“With no increase in money to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) we are deeply concerned about a potential financial squeeze and cuts in further education courses if the LSC directly provides apprenticeship places.

“We are also not happy about the implications of changes to the minimum wage regulations for those on apprenticeships.  Those who are working should be fairly paid for that work, and not used as cheap labour.”

“The reforms to improve services for vulnerable children and young people are long overdue, and should be implemented urgently.  We expect the Government to ensure the teachers designated to look after these children are given the right training and aren’t burdened with a unrealistic workload.

“All the agencies and professionals who work with children in care should share responsibility for that care – the duty should not just be left to teachers.  Schools and colleges cannot be expected to solve societies’ problems alone.”