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NUT Cymru is opposed to the cuts and any measures that will adversely affect our children’s education. We urge the new WAG to support alternatives to cuts, closures and job losses.

The WAG and local authorities must prevent compulsory redundancies in schools that are often already operating with a minimum staff. Class sizes must be driven down, resources made available and investment in education seen as a priority.

4 A work-life balance for every teacher

The latest School Teachers’ Review Body survey shows that most teachers work over 50 hours a week. The NUT is campaigning for effective limits on teacher workload.

In June 2010 a survey of NUT members found the most popular measure to reduce teachers’ workload would be less burdensome planning and assessment, followed by enforceable class size limits.

5 No knee-jerk reactions In his speech delivered on 2 February, Education Minister Leighton Andrews set out 20 propositions for immediate action by the WAG on education in Wales, including a revision of initial teacher training, the reintroduction of national tests for 7 to 11 year olds in literacy and numeracy, the annual grading of schools operated by all local authorities and consortia, and amendments to performance management provisions.

The NUT believes the proposals have not been considered carefully and there has been no consultation. We require the WAG to put a hold on the Minister’s plans until the issues can be properly aired and debated by all interested parties.

The manifesto represents practical, realistic goals for our education service in Wales. Please make your local candidates aware of it in the run-up to the election.

A rep in every school

The NUT prides itself on having members in virtually every school in Wales – and in most schools there is a band of dedicated teachers acting as NUT school reps. They carry out vital work recruiting new members, organising meetings, advising members, and providing a link with the wider union.

School reps get training at special NUT Cymru courses. There will be three this year, starting in June – in Cardiff, Newport and Aberystwyth.

If you’re interested in becoming a school rep and attending one of these courses, please contact Lisa Tavener at NUT Cymru on 029 2049 1818.

You can find out more about becoming a school rep, or playing an active part in the NUT in a variety of ways, by visiting www.teachers.org.uk/getinvolved.

A question of retirement

Retired members in Cardiff invited the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales to their AGM in November.

Ruth Marks explained her work, giving some case studies on lifelong learning, and an overview of her review into the treatment of older people in hospitals.

She also spoke of the importance of older people claiming their financial entitlements in this time of public spending cuts.

For information on the Older People’s Commission, call 08442 640670, email ask@olderpeoplewales.com, or visitwww.olderpeoplewales.com.

NUT Cymru visited careers fairs at all the Welsh universities in January and spoke to lots of student teachers who are looking for jobs in Wales. NUT Cymru’s Gareth Lloyd met Samantha Spence and Heather Ashford, both trainee teachers at Trinity College, Carmarthen.

A great start to your teaching career!

NUT student membership is FREE. NQTs get four terms’ full membership for £1.

See www.teachers. org.uk/joinus.