Union warns future of teaching profession depends on better remuneration
A recruitment and retention crisis is imminent unless there is a significant pay rise for teachers, the NASUWT teaching union has warned.
Seven in ten teachers have considered leaving their job in the last 12 months, according to a survey by the union, with almost half of those surveyed admitting their pay had a ‘great deal’ or ‘a lot of impact’ on their intention to leave the profession.
The education sector is also struggling to retain newly graduated teachers longer than five years after they qualify due to pay failing to match similar graduate professions.
Challenging pay and pension conditions have led to challenging conditions across both the state and independent sector.
Earlier this year, teachers at an independent school were sent a letter saying they would be dismissed from their jobs unless they join a new pension scheme.
Although, an offer to stay in the existing TPS scheme was made, this was subject to accepting a 4.7% reduction in salary; the alternative being to maintain their existing salary and join a new defined contribution pension scheme.
The change in conditions led to staff at Abbot’s Hill School, in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, taking industrial action over the proposed changes.
Following a consultation of more than 40 teachers and the school’s plans to move away from the TPS scheme, it is understood that many opted to leave or take strike action.
Union leaders have argued that such moves, along with rising inflation is having a detrimental effect on teachers remuneration and, ultimately, their wiliness to stay in the profession.
Their most recent survey found that:
- 54% of teachers are cutting back spending on food and some teachers are say they have been forced to turn to food banks or other charitable assistance.
- 40% have cut spending on essential household items
- One in ten teachers have needed to take on a second job to make ends meet
The NASUWT is now calling on the Government to deliver a significant pay increase for the academic year 2022/23 to prevent an “enormous recruitment and retention” crisis.
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Teachers across the UK, and at every stage of their career, are seriously questioning if they can afford to continue another year in the education profession without a pay uplift that meets the sky-rocketing cost of living.
“Now we are living with the bleak reality of teachers having no choice but to seek second jobs, cut back on essential supplies such as food and even relying on the assistance of foodbanks.
“With seven in ten teachers considering leaving the profession entirely, the Government must urgently secure the future of education by delivering a programme of pay restoration which recognises and values the work of teachers and headteachers.” Contact us.