One of my children is very happy today. In fact he is “camping” in the shed at the bottom of the garden with his friend and may not emerge for some time. Well why not? He’s got an unexpected day off from school thanks to the teachers strike. He might ask whether we can go and do something exciting like lie on a boat somewhere hot, I hope not, I’ve got work to do, but I’m doing it from home today so that I can be around.
Other friends of mine have some children going in to school, others not. Even within the same school there are some teachers who are not going on strike and therefore in our local primary school just three classes are still going ahead (imagine how those poor children are feeling this morning).
I am fully behind whatever it is the teachers are striking about – no doubt something to do with more pay, less working hours and pension issues because I think teachers should get paid way more than footballers without a doubt. They are most certainly having to work too hard under difficult circumstances and I really sympathise….
That said, what I don’t understand is why they don’t work more closely with us parents? Why is it that the first I heard about this strike was three days ago via an email and a letter from the school? (Yes, I’m sure it’s been in the news, but I’m busy at work and haven’t had time to read up on what is going on). That is not enough time for us to sort childcare. Nor is it right that we are not more involved in the decisions made, because you see – not only does it hugely affect us, we might even be able to help – given that our children are in your hands for more hours in the week than they are in our own.
I really do think the NUT is missing a trick in not getting parents on side with the sympathy vote.
