Ei-iE

The National Union of Teachers has responded to a parliamentary Education Committee report into behaviour and discipline in schools by demanding that teachers have access to continuous professional development.

The NUT has argued that this is the key to ensuring teachers remain confident and well informed in how to deal with pupil behaviour. NUT General Secretary, Christine Blower, said: “While we must not forget that the majority of our classrooms are safe and pupils are well behaved the NUT agrees that it is critical for schools to have behaviour and discipline policies drawn up not only in consultation with staff, but also with children and young people and that the whole school community is actually involved in making sure that the policy is implemented, on a proper and consistent basis. “ Blower added: “whatever curriculum is put into place has to be free from the restraint of excessive testing and league tables which simply stifle creativity and enjoyment. “Unlike the report we do not support the move towards school centred and employment based training. Teachers need proper, in depth, theoretical training, as much of this report demonstrates.” According to Blower, the report is “a stark reminder that cutting schools budgets and those of local authorities will lead to the most vulnerable children being deprived of vital services. A problem which will only be exacerbated if more schools become academies or Free Schools and coherent provision for schools is slowly, but surely dismantled.” EI supports the NUT’s campaign to secure quality training for teachers and an excellent education to students in Britain. As the global union federation representing 30 million teachers worldwide, EI urges governments not to use the global economic crisis as an excuse to cut public spending in education and teacher training and jobs. To read the full NUT statement, please click here.