Commenting on a poll showing that 60% of parents/guardians and 48% of Britons support teachers taking strike action, and share concerns about the lack of education funding, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“While no teacher wants to be on strike action we are grateful for the support of parents, and do not take it for granted. Many understand first-hand the issues faced by schools and colleges and their children’s teachers. They need no persuasion that there is disruption every day of the school year, thanks to the Government’s poor decision-making and short-sighted policies on education.
“We urge Gillian Keegan to start negotiating with the profession to ensure we have a resolution for the sake of teachers and children’s education. The Government's continued stonewalling of talks will not improve their standing among parents and the general public. We need to see a substantive offer that will address the issues which are eroding this essential public service.”