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EI’s national affiliates in the UK, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), have called on the Government to provide teachers with quality training and decent working conditions.

“Trainee teachers not only need practical training but the time and space to develop and exchange ideas on best practice in education,” said NUT General Secretary Christine Blower. “It is therefore vitally important that graduates continue to have part of their training in universities and colleges. Once in a classroom, there is little time for the reflection on pedagogy which is so important to ensuring the quality of trainee teachers.” She was commenting on Education Secretary Michael Gove’s announcement about School Direct, a school-led teacher training programme.

Highly pressurised environment

“Challenging schools need support and funding, not just a few well-paid teachers,” she added. “Most of the problems that pupils face come from outside the classroom and these issues need to be addressed. The ratio of trainee teachers in challenging schools would give cause for concern. Challenging schools need highly experienced teachers working alongside and supporting early-career teachers and trainees when working in a highly pressurised environment.”

She also underlined that investment in high quality teacher training closely linked to universities, and the expertise which they can provide, is required to ensure the country has the best qualified teachers for children and young people.

Excessive workloadConcerning the survey on teachers' workload led by TES, the world’s largest online network of teachers, NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates explained that it confirms the extensive research her union has done on this issue over the last two years.

“In a recent NASUWT survey, to which over 16,000 teachers responded, excessive workload was their number one concern,” she said. “This was one of the key reasons for the NASUWT balloting its members for the industrial action in which they are currently engaged. A major contributory factor to excessive workload is the Coalition Government's contemptuous disregard for the adverse impact its policies have on the workforce.”

Teachers always strive to do the best for the children and young people they teach, but their efforts are seriously impeded if they are overworked, tired and demoralised.

“Teachers' working conditions are inextricably linked to raising standards,” said Keates. “Children and young people are entitled to be taught by those who are recognised and rewarded as highly skilled professionals and have working conditions which enable them to focus effectively on teaching and learning.”

EI: quality continuous education vitalIn support of the affiliates, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen stated: “Every citizen of every state has the right to a quality education. Providing quality education catering to students’ aptitudes and needs is the primary challenge for all sectors of education.

“This is why EI urges UK authorities to understand the importance of quality teaching for quality education cannot be underestimated,” he said. “To this end, teachers at all levels of education must be appropriately trained and qualified. Teachers should continue their professional development upon recruitment through a period of induction into the profession with the support by a mentor and should have access throughout their careers to high quality continuous professional development and learning. These opportunities should be provided by the public authorities or other employers at no cost to individual teachers.”

EI believes that professional standards should be established with the full involvement of the teaching profession in each country, reiterating the positive role of social dialogue in achieving quality education for all.