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Your union

All you need to know…

The NUT’s Passport to Teaching is the essential guide for all teachers about to take up their fi rst post. If you are qualifying this year, you should have received this in April. If you haven’t got yours yet, just email om@nut.org.uk

Qualifying in 2012?

Get four terms’ membership for just £1 at www.teacher.org.uk/join

My role in the union – school rep

Parminder Saimbhi

When did you first become active in the Union?

I have been a member since doing my BEd. Around 1998 I became the school health and safety rep. It was interesting; I learned about the issues via some informative NUT courses at Stoke Rochford.

What role do you currently hold?

Last year I became the NUT school rep – an interesting role! I attend local meetings and meet other reps. I’ve also been to the last two black teachers’ conferences.

What does your role involve?

I use the information I get from meetings to help colleagues who need advice or help. When I don’t know the answer I ask the local NUT offi ce – there is always someone on hand. I act as a route of dialogue for staff to the head, and meet the reps from other unions at school to discuss whole staff issues.

What are the best aspects of the role?

Being able to listen to the concerns of members and helping to resolve any issues.

And the worst?

Like most things in life – time. It’s a question of pros and cons: I’m glad to say pros outweigh cons.

Who has inspired you?

Others I’ve watched doing this role. I am also inspired by colleagues that I met at the black teachers’ conference.

What changes would you like to see?

More members taking part. Perhaps one way forward is to encourage ‘sub’ groups at a local level – for example teachers of different ethnic backgrounds, or an NQT group – and have representatives from each group attend local meetings.

To end on a cliché, don’t sit back and see what the Union can do for you but get active and see what you can do for your colleagues and the Union!

If you are interested in becoming an NUT rep, or playing another active role in the Union, go to www.teachers.org.uk/getinvolved.

Tell us about your role – email teacher@nut.org.uk

100 years ago

The Schoolmaster, May 25, 1912

Education in Parliament

Feeble-Minded Persons (Control) Bill

In the House of Commons on Friday of last week this Bill was backed by several members of the Liberal and Labour Parties as well as members of the Opposition.

Its purpose is described as “the better care and protection of feeble-minded persons” and it gives the Lunacy Commissioners power to register and license suitable homes, schools or colonies for the detention of persons certifi ed as feeble-minded.

The object of the measure was to regularise the life and, if possible, diminish the propagation of half-witted people.