Running Time: 2min 19 sec
Four thousand teachers at 77 sixth form colleges are on strike – not just for a pay rise in line with inflation, but for the survival of the entire sector.
The Government have refused to give any extra funding to sixth form colleges who are already struggling, a sector which is particularly important for the education of working class kids. So on top of a 20% real terms pay cut since 2010, inadequate funding has meant job and course cuts – which means increases in class sizes and workload, and serious problems with recruitment and retention.
If the funding crisis isn’t addressed, colleges will struggle to survive – which is why this strike is so important. And it’s why coordinated strike action, not only in education but in health, rail and other sectors impacted by governmment cuts, is so essential.
