Teachers send message to government with one-day strike

Teachers from all over the county sent a very clear message about education concerns by taking part in a one-day strike.
Picture by Catrina WilsonPicture by Catrina Wilson
Picture by Catrina Wilson

More than 110 Sussex schools closed either fully or in part as members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) stayed away from the classrooms and took part in rallies in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.

The industrial action today (July 5) was called to protest school funding cuts, which have left hundreds of schools struggling to balance their budgets, as well as teachers’ pay and conditions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Of the 210,458 ballot papers issued to NUT members, 51,530 were returned – a turnout of 24.5 per cent. Of those who voted, 91.7 per cent supported strike action.

Kevin Courtney, acting general secretary of the NUT said: “No teacher finds taking strike action easy but the situation in our schools needs to be urgently addressed.

“School budgets are being cut to the bone.

“The effect on children’s education is clear. Class sizes are going up, subjects are being removed from the curriculum, especially in the arts, while teaching posts are being cut or not replaced.”

He added: “Now more than ever in these uncertain times we need a properly funded and staffed education system.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.