NASUWT comments on the SDLP manifesto

27 April 2010

Commenting on the proposals for education in the SDLP manifesto, Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, said:

"Protecting public services from cuts to public spending must remain a top priority for the people of Northern Ireland. Public services are essential to rebuilding the country after the recession.

"We welcome the SDLP's commitment to securing equality of opportunity for all learners. Action to tackle social and economic disadvantage must remain an urgent priority in ensuring that all young people achieve their full potential.

"The SDLP's commitment to improving the working conditions of all workers and to tackling discrimination, intimidation and abuse in the workplace is also very welcome.

"The SDLP's policy to support young teachers to obtain full time employment has the potential to stop the wastage of teacher talent which blights their careers and to ensure that recently qualified teachers are given the best possible opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills.

"However, urgent action is needed to remove the block to the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA), so desperately needed to secure improvements in educational standards for all Northern Ireland pupils.

"We welcome the commitment to securing improvements and parity for children with Special Education Needs, Surestart, nursery provision and the provision of extended services in schools; these measures are essential to removing barriers to learning and providing equality and fairness for all children and families.

"However, parity of pay and conditions with school staff in England and Wales is also critically important to securing the best educational outcomes for children and young people and to ensure justice for teachers in Northern Ireland.

"The NASUWT looks to all the political parties to secure the establishment of a social partnership between the Northern Ireland National Assembly, ESA and the NASUWT and other school workforce unions. This would provide a firm basis for raising standards through tackling workload and improving the conditions of service of teachers to enable them to work effectively."

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