TEACHER SHORTAGES UNACCEPTABLE SAYS DOUGHTY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th Feb 2001

Commenting on reports of proposed industrial action at Bishop Reindorp School Sue Doughty said: "Guildford is lucky in the high quality of secondary school teachers which it has. Our exam results have borne this out over recent years. However it is a matter of urgency that we take steps to recruit more teachers to the areas to fill vacancies. Doubling up classes is not acceptable, especially as the government sets more and more targets for teachers. Guildford teachers have my admiration for their achievements and also for the circumstances in which they continue to give of their best. But we cannot afford to take good teaching for granted.

Teaching is highly demanding, and learning comes last when a teacher is faced with a massive class to keep occupied. The current situation will lead to more people leaving the profession.

Not only has the number of secondary teachers in Surrey declined, but it is increasingly difficult to attract anyone while there is such a shortage of affordable housing.

We need a London weighting for public sector employees to help them move into the area, together with urgent attention to housing issues.

Experienced and highly qualified teachers in Guildford are having to live in bed sits to make ends meet. Teachers are being offered posts and then having to turn them down because they cannot find anywhere to live which they can afford."

The Liberal Democrats warned the Government of the approaching crisis at the start of this Parliament. However the Government delayed action, and are still playing down the problem. Their response has been too little too late. Last week we launched our new policy to pay trainee teachers a full salary complete with NI and pensions contributions, rather than just the £6,000 p.a. the Government provide.

Sue Doughty said:"Gordon Brown has held back and held back on urgent funding for secondary education. Reducing the size of Primary classes has been done at the expense of pupils in the secondary age group. Time does not stand still whether you are a pupil not getting an adequate education or you are a patient waiting for an operation. The kindest thing you can say about this government is that it is a late developer."