Six in 10 parents and guardians support teachers going on strike, new poll finds

A new poll have revealed that 60 per cent of parents and guardians are in support of teachers taking industrial action. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

This week saw teaching staff across Wales stage a second day of industrial action after rejecting a revised pay deal from the Welsh Government. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Strikes have also taken place across England, with a warning that further dates could be scheduled if working conditions and pay are not improved. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A survey undertaken by IPSOS have revealed that six in 10 parents and guardians support teachers taking industrial action. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Despite this the poll found that 43 per cent of people are worried about their children catching up on schoolwork missed because of strike action, whilst 40 per cent are concerned about exam results not reflecting their child’s or children’s ability because of missed work due to strikes. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However IPSOS also found that 60 per cent of parents are worried about their children’s education because not enough money is spent on school or teachers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Commenting on the poll’s findings, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “While no teacher wants to be on strike action we are grateful for the support of parents, and do not take it for granted. Many understand first-hand the issues faced by schools and colleges and their children’s teachers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“They need no persuasion that there is disruption every day of the school year, thanks to the Government’s poor decision-making and short-sighted policies on education. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The Government’s continued stonewalling of talks will not improve their standing among parents and the general public. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We need to see a substantive offer that will address the issues which are eroding this essential public service.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The poll also found that there is still widespread support for those taking strike action, with the public largely remaining sympathetic to with nurses and ambulance workers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Teachers are the third most likely to receive public support over railway workers (39 per cent), border force / passport control staff, civil servants and university staff (35 per cent) and driving examiners (28 per cent). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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