posted on Oct, 15 2013 @ 04:53 AM
Now I know this only effects the UK at the moment but I would like everyone who is against the teacher strikes just to read this, for I am sick of all
the moaning.
1. Pay increase: In the public sector as a whole, people have been asked to work longer hours for less pay since I can remember. The official pay
freeze 2 / 3 years ago from Government hasnt helped, but I personally have not had one in 5 years in the public sector but still people I meet think
Im earning mega bucks but in fact Im under the national average. Teachers in the UK for a normal public school wages range from £22k starting to
£30k depending on skill / position in the school. So the top end is just over the national average.
In short, teachers do not earn insane money to teach your children. People say £30k for 6 hours work a day for 5 days a week with up to 10 weeks off
a year is easy money.
No - This is short sighted. At my place of work the average is £25k a year (under average).
Hours worked a week - Between 50-60
Hours at the weekend - Between 10-15
Time off - 10 weeks - 2 to 3 weeks planning - 2 to 3 weeks training
So leaving 4-6 weeks, still a lot yes but for up to 75 hours a week for your children? Worth it
2. Pension Scheme: Over the last few years, this has changed more and more for the public sector, we are now expected to put way more in to receive
less which is MUCH WORSE THEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I recently compared to someone earning the same in the private sector, I was forking out an extra
£60 a month to receive LESS with LESS protection on it.
3. Better treatment: Teachers are seen as an easy target now, people not knowing what really goes on in the classroom after they leave school for
good. Seeing teachers pulled into meetings in which their future is decided because a STUDENT ATTACKED THEM causing sometimes severe injury. Then
seeing a community turn against a teacher because another student attacks them and they defend themselves. How is this seen as fair, I know they are
meant to be "protectors" but when they cant even defend themselves we have a problem
4. Funding in general: Most of the educational establishments I know of and speak with (due to my job) have seen loses of between 20% and 30% in
funding per student. Working with aging equipment which cannot be replaced for years, working with out dated books and trying to make the most of
these resources is an amazing feat to witness. Each government pledges that they will increase the number of A+'s in GCSE's and A levels by
increasing funding then instantly back tracking, increasing student numbers in schools, less money for schools, more time teachers have to put
in....
How is this fair?
To ALL who say "its their choice to be teachers". Look at it this way, if EVERY teacher who is going on strike on Thursday decided to quit on Friday
because its their choice..
Picture how screwed the country would be.