English teacher cuts spell strike action

SPECIALIST language teachers working with children who speak little or no English will strike tomorrow over plans to axe their jobs.

The New Arrivals Team works in primary and secondary schools with pupils who have come from abroad.

But the six teachers are to be scrapped in April as part of Oldham Council’s budget proposals to save £57 million.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said the team had taught around 200 children, including vulnerable pupils, who came to Oldham from Asia, Africa and Europe last year.

It responds quickly to requests to provide intensive, teaching for short periods.

The five NUT members of the team are now set to protest in the town centre. Oldham NUT branch secretary Tony Harrison said: “The local authority has not made any attempt to preserve this team. From the beginning of the redundancy consultations they have shown a determination to get rid of essential, front-line specialist English teachers.

“The council is supposed to be a champion for vulnerable groups, parents and communities, instead it is betraying them. The authority isn’t listening. Strike action is a last resort.”

The borough’s Ethnic Minority Achievement Team is also being cut from four consultants to one. Two NUT members of the team will also strike tomorrow.

Kevin Courtney, NUT national deputy general secretary said: “One of the greatest injustices of the present period is the focus of so many cuts on vital public services — when the banks whose behaviour caused the crisis in the first place continue to pay huge bonuses.

“It adds insult to injury when the attacks are being presented as being on ‘back-room’ staff.”