Teachers Strike Across East Midlands Over Pay and Funding Cuts

Teachers and education staff from across East Midlands are on strike, protesting against massive cuts in school budgets, low pay, and the government's inability to address the education crisis. The strikes, which began with picket lines outside schools such as Brookfield Community School and Parkside Community School, have now spread to Nottingham, where they joined the regional East Midlands rally. The National Education Union (NEU) says it's been "left with no other option" but to keep striking due to the government's refusal to listen to their demands for a fully-funded, above-inflation pay rise and increased funding for schools.

Key Takeaways:

• The strikes, which are part of a national wave of teacher protests, are the result of massive budget cuts and low pay, with 15 years of austerity having left public services "cut to the bone."
• The NEU is demanding a fully-funded, above-inflation pay rise to ensure education is an attractive profession and that children are taught by qualified, high-quality staff.
• The union also wants schools to receive extra funding to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets.
• Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has invited the union to "formal talks on pay, conditions, and reform" on the condition that this week's walkouts are suspended, but the union has deemed this offer "hugely disappointing."
• The strikes have now spread to Nottingham, where protesters have joined the regional East Midlands rally.
• Lisa Tunnell, of the North Derbyshire Branch of the National Education Union, has criticized the government for its incompetence in wasting millions on private contracts and called for the money to be invested in children and communities.

Statistics:

• 15 years of austerity have left public services "cut to the bone."
• The government's refusal to listen to the union's demands has led to a national wave of teacher strikes.
• The NEU is demanding a fully-funded, above-inflation pay rise to ensure education is an attractive profession.
• The union wants schools to receive extra funding to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets.
• Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has offered formal talks on pay, conditions, and reform, but the union has deemed this offer "hugely disappointing."

Sources:

• Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, as quoted in the article: "formal talks on pay, conditions and reform"
• Lisa Tunnell, of the North Derbyshire Branch of the National Education Union, as quoted in the article: "NEU members across the East Midlands have been on strike in response to the huge crisis in education that has seen school budgets slashed, staff leaving in droves and teacher pay at an all-time low."