UCU to launch education manifesto

The manifesto is part of the union's campaign to get parliamentary candidates to clearly state their position on education to allow the public to make an informed choice at the ballot later this year.
 
The union says its vision of education is founded on a fundamental belief in the intrinsic value and power of education as a force for good. It sets out the context in which the manifesto has been prepared – against a backdrop of cuts across public services, with education bearing the brunt of them.
 
The document, which will be a key plank of the union's campaigning work ahead of the general election, explains the problems facing further education, higher education, prison education and adult learning. It will be launched in the corridors of power as UCU members gather to lobby their MPs over the current dangers facing education. UCU members will be in Westminster from 2:30-4:30pm meeting their MPs and listening to speeches from MPs, unionists and educators.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'The forthcoming election is a real opportunity for prospective MPs to demonstrate their passion for education. We have heard warm words from all the parties about the importance of education in tough economic times, yet the government is slashing funding for universities and the other parties are yet to commit to any concrete policies that would give the UK a fighting chance.
 
'Let's not forget that other countries, such as Germany, France and America, have protected education funding as part of their fiscal stimuli packages. We need a genuine cross-party consensus on the issue of education want to work with politicians from all parties who have a genuine passion for education.'
 
Education for the future: UCU's manifesto for post-school education [358kb]