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Letters

Star letter

We don’t want to pay more and work longer

Nick Kirby’s article on pensions was a chilling yet timely reminder that all teachers were going to have a nasty shock in their pay packets this April.

As a young teacher I can’t imagine having to work until I am 68 but the increase in our contributions was a kick in the teeth by a Government which seems more intent on putting us down and criticising our profession, than offering us the support we need to teach future generations.

Alex Petty, Derby

Give us a break! 

I heard Nottingham City Council is trying to introduce a five-term year and four-week summer holiday. They’ve obviously never taught a class of boisterous pupils. By the end of summer term I need every one of my six weeks off. So do my pupils!

The council says it wants to reduce ‘learning loss’, but school isn’t the only place children learn. Apparently league-topping Finnish children don’t forget everything during their ten weeks. And who can doubt the benefits to young Italians of being freed on to sunny beaches for three months?

In Ireland youngsters can follow their dreams for nine weeks. In fact, I searched online and everywhere I looked I found schools having longer – mostly much longer – holidays than us. Why can’t we trust our children in the same way?

Annie Trevellyan, Leicester

We can win on pensions

 There needs to be a serious debate about how we can win the current pensions dispute. I am not convinced that one-day strikes are enough to make this Government think again. I feel from members at school that there has been a step back since the great 30 November strike, when we were joined by millions of other workers.

We need an analysis of where we are and what faces us. I feel members are divided on what action to take, but are desperately looking for a strategy of how to win. In discussion with colleagues I have formed the opinion that the Government is weak on a number of issues (the health bill, workfare schemes, etc), which offers the chance to win concessions.

A strategy that widens the dispute to include all sections of the workforce is vital – that and escalation are the two components needed to win. Escalation means more and longer strikes, which may mean more temporary pain for us, but the alternative is too grim to think of. We can win the pensions dispute but need to be aware that this Government will not change course because we strike for one day.

Derek Fraser, TraffordNUT

Palestine water project

 Bilin Village, on the occupied West Bank of Palestine, needs help to install water recycling systems for each house to use to irrigate the village vegetable gardens. Bilin has lost a considerable quantity of its water supply to nearby illegal Israeli settlements.

If you can donate to this worthwhile project please make cheques payable to ‘Liverpool Friends of Palestine Bilin Water Project’ at the Unity Trust Bank account 20278919.

Dave Hookes www.liverpoolfriendsofpalestine.co.uk

Please write

The editor welcomes your letters but reserves the right to edit them. Write to: Your letters, The Teacher, NUT, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD or email teacher@nut.org.uk

Letters for the July/August issue should reach us no later than 4 June.