Commenting on an analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies of
school funding and costs in England which highlights a likely
fall in the purchasing power of schools in
2024/25, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the
National Education Union, said:
“The NEU agrees with the IFS that the correct way to chart
progress in the education system is by reference to school costs.
School costs have grown faster than inflation, and faster than
education funding since 2010. It is school purchasing power that
counts in providing an education system fit for the 21st
century.
“Persistent underfunding has led to deep and lasting effects on
the education sector. Class sizes are at record levels - primary
class sizes are the highest in Europe and secondary class sizes
are the highest since records began more than 40 years ago. All
children deserve to be taught in classes of fewer than 30 led by
a qualified teacher, but this is simply not being addressed. Nor
is the recruitment and retention crisis, when the government
cannot even meet its own targets in teacher training. No wonder
teachers are leaving the profession in high numbers.
“70% of schools in England have lower real-terms funding this
year than in 2010. 380 schools have lost more than £2,000 in real
terms per pupils funding due to government cuts. 2024-25 promises
more of the same. Core school funding through the National
Funding Formula will rise by only 1.9% on average.
“Urgent action is needed in the Spring Budget to address
shortfalls in spending and to finally address the recruitment and
retention crisis in teaching.
"Up until this point Government have not listened to the clear
evidence put in front of them. They are ignoring a growing
existential crisis in education that is happening on their
watch.
“To demonstrate how serious this is our members will be consulted
from 2 March, via a preliminary electronic ballot, to gauge their
willingness to take industrial action to win additional funding
from Government for pay and additional staffing resources. By not
fully funding pay awards, the Government makes it even harder for
heads to balance the books.”
