What is it with the main teacher unions? How come they are so hard left, childish and pathetic? How did teachers allow their unions to be taken over by petulant lefties with the attitudes of spotty student union activists?

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/national-education-union-tells-teachers-not-to-engage-with-planning-for-reopening-schools-ck2st7fzs

From the article:

"...

Kevin Courtney, the joint general secretary of the NEU, told teachers in the meantime: “Don’t engage with planning a June 1 return to wider opening. Await further union advice.”

Unison, which represents school support staff, agreed. Jon Richards, its head of education, tweeted that he would work with other unions to agree a joint position and “until then we advise members not to engage with planning for a June 1 return.”"

Utterly dismal and completely pathetic! "Don't engage" - student union politics in a nutshell.

What are the miserable and puerile unions complaining about? Danish and French schools have gone back. English schools have a whole three weeks to prepare for the limited return to school advertised by the Government. How did the many decent teachers allow their unions to be grabbed by petulant and childish ideologues out to prove a stupid point instead of getting on with the job they are paid to do?

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

How dare these pathetic teachers worry about their health and the health of their families. 

Balls to that - think of the economy! Back to it! 

Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs 

The return to schools is for years 1 and 6 of primary school initially. Teachers have three weeks to prepare for it. For the unions to tell them "not to engage" is truly and absolutely pathetic.

Yes, teachers can have their opinions about it, but they should still engage with the process and make the preparations, otherwise why will anyone bother listening to their concerns? This is student union politics by the unions, not a true representation of the concerns of their members.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

It shouldn't be up to unions or even teachers to decide what is or isn't appropriate.

Originally Posted by: four 

The return to schools is for years 1 and 6 of primary school initially. Teachers have three weeks to prepare for it. For the unions to tell them "not to engage" is truly and absolutely pathetic.

Yes, teachers can have their opinions about it, but they should still engage with the process and make the preparations, otherwise why will anyone bother listening to their concerns? This is student union politics by the unions, not a true representation of the concerns of their members.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

I should add I do think the unions should engage constructively with the Government. 

I just don’t think we should criticise anyone for being hugely worried or scared. 

I don’t think many people in this thread would be willing to teach in a classroom within a few weeks, if your posts on here are anything to go by. 

Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs 

 Many of my teacher friends are very concerned about the potential dangers of reopening on June 1st. Sure, one can say if certain criteria isn't met then it is a moot point anyway, but many including myself do not for one moment trust this government. Further strengthening this unease is the refusal to publish any scientific evidence behind their thinking.

You are correct in assuming teachers will plan and prepare anyway, whilst still sharing the concerns the unions are right to raise.

Seriously? Why gag the professionals who work in these environments and therefore can offer an expert view on how a proposed system would/would not work?

Originally Posted by: SJV 

Another question I have is what has happened to the plans for social distancing on trains and buses? Last week the media was full of reports about limits of approx 15 people per train carriage being imposed by the government. Is that happening?

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

I absolutely agree with everything you say and it is of great concern.

But it’s wrong for the unions to say ‘don’t engage in any planning’!   I think it’s vital that teachers are involved!  They need to voice their opinions and right any wrongs.  If they think it won’t work, they need to be able to show why it won’t and what needs to be done before schools can go back.  Involving those on the ground in decision making is the only way forward. 

Originally Posted by: Caz 

Here is an interesting point made by someone called Miranda (so presumably female) on The Times article:

"Private schools will open on 1st June,  so rich children are fine.

State school children whose parents can afford it have tutors, so those children are fine too.

Hard up children in tower blocks have no schooling because of the unions’ stalwart attitude.

In 2021: The Guardian has an article on why educational attainment is so unequal this year, they really cannot understand it and the sad situation is deplored by Alison51 who writes eloquently and movingly on the subject."

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

I think unions are using this language as a shock tactic of sorts to get heard. There's no way, speaking from the general feeling amongst the staff I work with, that teachers will simply not plan or prepare ahead of June 1st. Ahead of that date there will be many meetings between SLT and teachers to determine the best way forward, as well as a continuation of the remote teaching we've become accustomed to over the past 6 weeks or so.

Originally Posted by: SJV 

Just got this from my golf coach:

The latest communication from the PGA on Tuesday 12th May said:

"The criteria and the rules they must adhere to when doing so are very clear (regarding playing golf on a course). However, this is not the case regarding coaching. This area is not covered specifically by the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy that was published yesterday so interpreting their guidelines remains subjective.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

And that is the most sensible approach!   

Originally Posted by: Caz 

This Government specialises in knowing what should be done but doesn't ask anybody if and when it can be done. Hence the litany of missed targets and broken promises. Talk is cheap and it's making them look like they are lying when in fact it is pretending all is well and in control when it isn't that is the problem.

Originally Posted by: fairweather 

I absolutely agree with everything you say and it is of great concern.

But it’s wrong for the unions to say ‘don’t engage in any planning’!   I think it’s vital that teachers are involved!  They need to voice their opinions and right any wrongs.  If they think it won’t work, they need to be able to show why it won’t and what needs to be done before schools can go back.  Involving those on the ground in decision making is the only way forward. 

Originally Posted by: Caz 

What is it with the main teacher unions? How come they are so hard left, childish and pathetic? How did teachers allow their unions to be taken over by petulant lefties with the attitudes of spotty student union activists?

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/national-education-union-tells-teachers-not-to-engage-with-planning-for-reopening-schools-ck2st7fzs

From the article:

"...

Kevin Courtney, the joint general secretary of the NEU, told teachers in the meantime: “Don’t engage with planning a June 1 return to wider opening. Await further union advice.”

Unison, which represents school support staff, agreed. Jon Richards, its head of education, tweeted that he would work with other unions to agree a joint position and “until then we advise members not to engage with planning for a June 1 return.”"

Utterly dismal and completely pathetic! "Don't engage" - student union politics in a nutshell.

What are the miserable and puerile unions complaining about? Danish and French schools have gone back. English schools have a whole three weeks to prepare for the limited return to school advertised by the Government. How did the many decent teachers allow their unions to be grabbed by petulant and childish ideologues out to prove a stupid point instead of getting on with the job they are paid to do?

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

This is about life or death though isn’t it? This isn’t about being petulant or scoring points. 

If the Government want teachers and their unions to engage, then put forward genuine, sensible proposals which have a hope in hell of keeping everyone safe. 

Teachers don’t trust the Government at present, and frankly, who can blame them? 

Would you want to return to a classroom on 1st June without social distancing measures in place? You sure as hell won’t get on a plane. 

Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs