Teacher Strikes, From the Pupils Perspective.

On February 1st, the day of the first National Education Union Strike, more than half of schools in the Uk were forced to close due to the absences of staff members who are striking over unfair pay.

The next NEU strikes are scheduled as follows:

• 28th February – North and North-west England, Yorkshire, and Humber.
• 1st march – West Midlands, East Midlands and the NEUs Eastern Region.
• 2nd March – All Schools in Wales as well as South-East and South-West England and London.
• 15th and 16th March – All schools in England and Wales.

It’s completely understandable why teachers need to go on strike, its their human right to want equality in all aspects of their lives, including how much they are paid. Teachers are severely underpaid for the work they need to complete, they work up to a 6hr shift every weekday, but the common misconception is that that’s when their job is done, but it isn’t. teachers then have to go home, plan future lessons, mark work and complete personal work tasks etc., outside of their contracted hours.

But while these teachers are fighting for their rights, the students in these classrooms are missing out on vital learning time.

Again, especially those in their final years of education. Pupils who are now in year 13 were majorly effected by the fallout of covid 19, being in year 10 at the time it was a critical year for them, starting their mocks and preparing for their real GCSE exams. Then when lockdowns and restriction were lifted, going back to school at the start of year 11, there was a number of significant changes which directly disrupted these students academic achievements, including the cancellations of their GCSEs. 

So now being in their A-level year, and having the current teacher strikes falling during their mock exams and so close to the start of their actual A-level exams, there is a strong sense of déjà vu amongst pupils.

Year 13 student Jamie says “I fully sympathise with the teachers and understand why they’re striking it’s just frustrating that’s its happening now during our exams”.

In conclusion, taking into account both parties feelings and reasonings it is evident that neither group will really prevail in this situation.

As the teachers are fully within their right to go on strike as they’re being treated unfairly, but statistically strikes don’t always result in positive change. Aswell as the student whose learning time is being severely disrupted.