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Teacher strike sends out wrong signal

Wednesday, 29th June 2011

UKIP's education spokesman, and former teacher, Derek Clark MEP has hit out at teachers planning to strike tomorrow.

He said: “I am not in favour of strike action at all.

“I left the NUT over this many years ago and joined the AMMA, (Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association), which became ATL, because of its ‘non-strike’ policy.

“I am still an associate member but object to its statement that it too will support strike action. Had I been still teaching I would have now left ATL.
 
“Teaching is a public service and must continue no matter what. Whether or not the current Government has the right policies for the economy is irrelevant - it is the elected Government.

“Teachers should accept that and work on, It is called democracy and by remaining at work they send out the right message.
 
“Striking sends out the wrong signal to youngsters as well as placing parents under much strain, some of them in an impossible situation.

“The days of mum at home all day have long since gone - who will look after schoolchildren during the strike? The prospect of them roaming the streets is only one better than them gathering in friends' houses all day.”
 
Mr Clark said the whole situation was precipitated by what he called, “useless Government policies, which always failed teaching.”

He said: “For all the fine words, when it comes down to basics, no government has really placed education as high on the priority list as they claimed they have.”

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