I am writing to your letters page on behalf of Merton Division NUT to express our opposition to the widely publicised plan to further privatise Merton's education system. We represent over 800 qualified teachers in this borough, by far the largest teachers association locally.

Any plans to assist the expansion of free schools and/or academies will have a detrimental effect on educational standards and the life chances of Merton students.

We find it difficult to understand why some councillors have such enthusiasm for this policy, as we assume they are still Labour Party members.

Our union nationally has campaigned for qualified teachers to be in every state school and totally oppose this Government's policy of allowing these schools to appoint who they want, whether qualified or not. We are also shocked at the money that has been ploughed into these schools to the detriment of the remaining LEA institutions.

Recent publicity has exposed the corruption and mismanagement of many of the existing academies/free schools and the many underhand efforts to artificially boost their examination results.

Locally we have seen the problems over the Chapel Street plans and the resulting chaos for parents, children and students. We have also witnessed the increasing turnover of experienced teachers and even headteachers in nearby academies.

Merton has had a proud tradition of excellence in most of its schools and the cooperative spirit among what a previous Director of Education described as Merton's "family of schools" now coming under threat by the rush to privatisation and the lack of democratic accountability which follows.

We note that the council is split on these issues, which gives us some hope however. We urge councillors and cabinet members to think again now that a general election is not too far away.

Maurice Sharp

President

Merton Division NUT

(Teacher for 35 years in Merton) 

 

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