Education Bill should be put on hold, say unions

The call from the NUT and NASUWT comes as the bill receives its third reading in the House of Commons this week.

Both unions have said that if ministers were prepared to delay the Health and Social Care Bill amid concerns over a lack of consultation they should do the same with the Education Bill.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "This government has shown with their proposed reforms to the NHS that they are prepared to pause and listen when it has been made clear that their plans are unpopular and badly thought through.

"I sincerely hope that they show similar respect to pupils, parents and teachers in schools and colleges and delay the Education Bill to allow their voices to be heard."

She added that this week more than 1,600 people have emailed their MP via the union’s website airing their concerns about the bill.

Among the concerns of the NUT and NASUWT is that free schools will be able to recruit teachers without qualified teacher status.

The NUT also wants to see the education maintenance allowance reinstated and for enrichment funding for further education protected.
 
NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "The contents of this bill could scar education and the futures of children and young people for generations. We want MPs to pause, rewind, and eject these proposals."