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Look at bigger urge teachers picture, on strike [Newcastle Evening Chronicle (England)](Newcastle Evening Chronicle (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Te Teac ac a he h rs de de de demo mo monstr trat a Teachers demonstration strikING teachers have rallied in Newcastle on a day of walkouts that closed more than 100 North East schools. Hundreds of National Union of Teachers members gathered at Grey's Monument to wave flags and listen to speeches attacking Education Secretary Michael Gove and the Government's plans for educators' pay, pensions and conditions. "W e know feelings are mixed about the strike," said maths and ICT teacher Alex Marshall, 36, who works at Heaton Manor School in Newcastle. "A lot of people are very sympathetic but I know there are also others who are disgruntled about the inconvenience the strike has caused. "But what we hope is that people can see the bigger picture and that we are not doing this lightly. "And you can be sure that every-one here will be working doubly hard tomorrow to make sure that the children don't miss out on any part of their education." The rally saw the NUT members backed by representatives from other unions, including the Public and Commercial Services Union, Unison and University and College Union. The main bones of contention for the strikers is that teachers' retirement age is set to be increased to 68, that they are having to work longer hours and that they will have to contribute more and take less back from their pensions. Shaun Dunlop, assistant secretary of the NUT in Newcastle, a Walker Technology College science teacher, said: "The Government work survey, which was only published two weeks ago, shows that the average primary school teacher is working 60 hours a week and a secondary teacher more than 55 - up more than six hours over the last three or four years. "And having a stressed out and tired teacher "And having a stressed out and tired th teacher in front of a class of children does no-one any favours." Anthony Stobart, who works at Boldon School, agreed, particularly when such a workload was being coupled to the increase in retirement age. "I can't imagine people in the classrooms having to work until they are almost 70," he said. "The teachers will have nothing in common with the children they are teaching. "And teaching continually moves on by that stage and some people may find it difficult to keep up." The reaction to the strike has been mixed, with both supporters and detractors debating it on the Chronicle Facebook page. "I think people need to look at how unnecessary strike action is," said mum Samantha Hardy. "I fully realise teachers have a tough job, especially with cuts being made. "But I get frowned upon and fined for taking my children out of school yet teachers have had since September three inset days and now a strike." But dad Michael Poolan disagreed. "Support your teachers," he said. "I have two kids and their teachers are amazing. We would do anything to protect our kids so why aren't people protecting their kids' future." Join the conversation now at www.facebook.com/eveningchronicle. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |