Are Teachers Getting a Pay Rise in September?

• Teachers have been affected by public sector pay freezes
• Campaign for a pay rise follows NHS workers pay deal
• Pressuring the Treasury for a 5% increase in pay

Teachers are stepping up their campaign for a 5% pay rise, following yesterday’s announcement of a pay deal for health workers.

Union leaders said that the move has increased pressure on the Treasury and Department of Education to find the funds to boost wages from September.

Teachers are one of many types of public sector workers who have been hit by the Government’s 1% pay freeze policy, which means that in the past 7 years they have effectively had a 20% pay cut.

Kevin Courtney, join general secretary of the National Education Union, said England’s school system is in the middle of a teacher shortage, and that pay increases could help deal with the crisis.

He said, “The fact that the NHS pay rise is more than 1%, will help us put pressure on the Department for Education and the Treasury to find the money, and also on the School teachers Review Body.”

Teachers are now raising the idea of holding walkouts as a protest against pay freezes.

One teacher, Charlotte from Norwich, said, “I’ve only been teaching for two years, but have had a 1% pay rise each year in this time.

“It’s better than nothing, but the cost of inflation means I’m losing money each year, so protesting with a walkout is definitely something I would consider.

“Teachers should definitely get a pay rise, we work so hard and should get something in return”

The NEU, along with several other teaching unions, have called on the STRB, The School Teachers Review Body, which recommends pay increases for the teaching profession, to recommend a 5% pay rise for teachers from this September, fully funded by the Government.

Last year, the STRB noted that schools are facing substantial pressures in recruiting and retaining staff, and that many schools are facing reductions in funding and growing cost pressures.

It also said it is essential that teachers’ pay levels attracted high-quality graduates to the profession, retains experiences teachers, and rewards those that take on extra responsibilities and leadership roles.

The report concluded that increases of more than 1% would be needed in the future to make pay competitive for teachers at all stages of their careers.

Despite this, the Government has made no inclination that it will give teachers a pay rise, although MPs were given a £1,300 pay rise last year.

A Department for Education spokesperson said, “We have a record of 15,500 more teachers in our classrooms than in 2010, and this generation of teachers is better qualified than ever before.

“The average teacher’s salary stands at £37,400 outside of London, rising to £41,900 in the capital.

“We have already given school freedom over staff pay and have asked the Independent School Teachers’ Review Body to take account of the Government’s flexible approach to public sector pay as they develop their recommendation.

“We want to continue to attract and keep the best and brightest people in our schools.”

If the motion for teachers to receive a pay rise gets approved by NUT members, it would then go to the NEU’s joint executive council who will decide if it will be taken forward to the Government.

Although this sounds far off and a lengthy process, the pay rise for NHS workers hopefully signifies that the Government will have a degree of flexibility when it comes to giving public sector workers the pay rises they deserve.

Do you think teachers deserve a pay rise? Let us know in the comments.