Tory teaching plans show incredible disregard for demands of the job

18 January 2010

UCU today said the Conservative Party's self-titled 'brazenly elitist' policy of recruiting graduates into teaching showed absolutely no understanding of the real demands of the teacher sector or the skills required to do the job.

The Tories have said they will pay off the student loan of graduates with degrees from some, as yet unspecified, universities in attempt to 'attract the best' as part of their Teach Now scheme. The union said that success in one area does not automatically mean someone will be a good teacher.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'This policy is short-sighted at best and shows that the Tories have completely failed to understand the needs and demands of teachers and the teaching sector. We should be looking to increase the pool of potential teachers and ensuring it is people who would make the best teachers who are encouraged to apply. These plans give the impression that anyone can teach and moving into teaching is a good way for some students to write off their massive university debts.'

• Dan Ashley
  press@ucu.org.uk|
  Tel:020 7756 2600
  Mobile: 07789 518 992
  Fax:020 7756 2501
  
• Alex Rossiter
  press@ucu.org.uk|
  Tel:020 7756 2598
  Mobile: 07977 562 686
  Fax:020 7756 2501