24 hours until Parents, Teachers and the public rally for Education

As part of a campaign to defend the education of children and young people, parents, teachers, headteachers, governors and other members of the public will be taking part tomorrow (Saturday 11 May) in the next series of Rallies for Education, following the hugely successful events in the North West on 27 April.

The Rallies for Education are jointly organised by the NASUWT and NUT teachers’ trade unions, which together represent nine out of ten classroom teachers across the country.

Saturday’s rallies are being held in Birmingham and Leeds and will be addressed by NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates and NUT General Secretary Christine Blower, as well as parents, teachers and others.

The rallies come as both unions embark on the next phase of their campaign of industrial action, which will include a one-day strike in the North West on 27 June.

Further Rallies for Education will be held in Cardiff and Newcastle in the coming weeks.

Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“Parents, teachers and the public care deeply about the education of our children and young people. That is why there is widespread opposition to the education policies of the Coalition Government.

“These Rallies for Education are being held in defence of our world-class public education system which the Coalition Government is determined to wreck.”

Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary, said:
“We know that neither teachers nor parents are happy with education policy under Michael Gove. He is hellbent on riding roughshod over the wishes of parents, local communities and the teaching profession.
“Even the Public Accounts Committee has now publicly criticised him.
“These rallies give an opportunity for the voices of opposition to be raised. We know there are alternatives. Michael Gove must now stop, listen and reflect.”