Commenting on the Teaching Commission report Shaping the Future of Education, launched today at the Festival of Education, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The NEU wholeheartedly welcomes this report. The report offers strong, evidence-based and practical solutions to address workload, pay, accountability, funding, professional trust, career development and job satisfaction.
“The findings presented come as no surprise to the NEU and our members; in fact, they strongly reinforce what we have long understood about the pressing challenges facing our education system.
“The detailed policy recommendations from the Teaching Commission should inform the upcoming Schools White Paper and shape the proposed legislative changes in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament.
“Attracting and retaining good teachers is about the whole package: professional trust, career development and job satisfaction sit alongside better pay and conditions in changing the untenable recruitment and retention situation. The work of the Commission provides compelling evidence highlighting the urgent actions the Government must take in order to realise its education goals, particularly in dismantling barriers to opportunity for every child.
“Our children’s futures rely heavily on bold, immediate, and decisive actions from the Government to protect education's most valuable asset, its staff. It is imperative that we collectively strive towards an equitable education landscape, nurturing a robust teaching workforce so that every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
“We urge the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, along with the government, to fully engage with this pivotal report.”