What issues have the educational associations raised in the letter to the UK conservative representatives?
Due to the lack of financial resources, what actions have British schools put on their agenda?
How has the increase in energy costs affected British schools?
What are the harms of schools’ lack of financial resources in the British education system?
The financial crisis in UK schools is severe. The National Association of Head Teachers warned the government that financial problems would affect 90% of schools in the country in the next school year. Preliminary data from the National Association of Head Teachers survey shows that 50% of school administrators believe that their schools are facing the problem of a lack of financial resources in the current academic year.
Education Associations letter to Conservative MPs
In an open letter, 13 National Education Associations of the UK warned the Conservative MPs about schools’ financial problems. They asked them to get assurances from the candidates for the post of Prime Minister that they would fulfil the commitments of their respective parties to restore the education budget to 2010 levels. To cover up in their letter, the officials of these national educational associations have called this situation disappointing, referring to the forecasts that report a budget deficit of 2 billion pounds by 2024. The financial crisis in UK schools has caused concern.
Lack of funding for British schools
The financial crisis of UK schools has had many reactions. Paul Whiteman, General Secretary at NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers), told the newspapers: “There are no easy fixes left. Schools are cut to the bone. This will mean cutting teaching hours, teaching assistants and teachers.” Whiteman added that headteachers had lost around 24% on the value of their salary since 2010, with education funding set to be 3% less in real terms in 2024/2025 than it was in 2010.
Reduction of teaching days in the agenda of British schools
Due to the financial crisis of UK schools, some decisions are likely to be implemented. British schools are considering cutting teaching days to three to four days a week as energy costs and teacher salaries rise, The Telegraph reported. This media added that principals, school trustees and governors hold crisis meetings during the summer holidays to decide how to keep schools open in the fall.
Problems of rising energy costs
The financial crisis of UK schools is due to rising energy costs. The Telegraph added that this media had obtained information showing that school administrators have considered three or four days a week, increasing teachers’ salaries and crippling energy costs. The report added that plans to increase teachers’ salaries for September would simultaneously put pressure on school budgets as energy costs increase. Schools’ energy costs are expected to increase by 300%.
Stopping the hiring process in British schools
The financial crisis of UK schools has stopped the process of new recruitment. Marc Jordan, the Chief Executive at the Creative Education Trust (CET), which educates 13,500 students, said it is considering halting recruitment and may be forced to cut Covid-19 programs for children and investments—planned to cancel school buildings.
British school budget cuts
The financial crisis of UK schools has led to a budget reduction. According to the Telegraph, schools have faced significant financial pressures recently, with funding per pupil in the UK falling by 9% between 2010 and 2020. The government has pledged an extra £7bn to school funding by 2024, aiming to bring spending per pupil back to 2010.
The loss of not providing school fees
The financial crisis in UK schools is causing much damage. However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that in 2024 per-pupil spending will remain three percent below 2010 levels due to rising costs, including a 9 percent increase in teacher salaries this year for new hires. And 5% is for established teachers. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said principals, trustees and governors would hold “crisis meetings” over the summer break to consider how to meet the increased costs. All these options are detrimental to the youth.
British school funding crisis
The financial crisis of UK schools has made funding difficult. In 2019, dozens of schools across the country temporarily shortened their weekly school days. They said they could not teach their students for five full days. One of the spokespeople of an educational centre in England said: We recognize that schools – much like the broader economy – face increased costs, including energy and staff pay. Nine out of 10 schools in England will run out of funds by next school year, with rising running costs and new pay scales for teachers.
Half of England’s schools are underfunded.
Based on the preliminary survey by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), more than half of the country’s school principals said their schools would face the problem of lack of funding this year. Also, the results of this survey categorize 90% of British schools in red status (end of financial reserves) by September next year. However, the NAHT has warned that the cost cuts will push many schools and education centres over the edge and lead to the loss of teaching and support staff in most schools across the country.
Worrying about providing teachers’ salaries
The foundation is also expected to put in another £4.5m to fund teacher pay rises announced this summer after schools’ budgets were set. But this increase in school salaries has caused problems due to the lack of new and sufficient funds. In this regard, several credit funds of educational centres have expressed concern about the inability of schools to reopen in the coming school year without receiving new funds.
Increase in mental health costs for children and employees
According to the managers of these funds, the cost of mental health support for children and workers who are struggling with the cost of living crisis has increased, and schools provide food for stressed families and help parents demand more pensions. Or resist the increase in housing rent.
The chaotic situation of the UK government
In the meantime, Liz Truss announced her decision to resign in a speech in front of the Prime Minister’s office on Thursday afternoon. Truss is the second Prime Minister to step down in a year. In these words, Truss said he took the helm of the government when the country faced significant economic problems. She also stated that he accepted the government’s responsibility with the agenda of reforming financial affairs. Still, now she has concluded that she cannot fulfil this mission.
The lack of sufficient financial resources has led schools to a vicious circle of staff resignations. While we constantly witness an increase in inflation and bills related to energy and public needs, reducing the education budget will face thousands of schools with financial problems. It is no exaggeration to say that education’s future is in danger. UK schools’ financial crisis must be resolved as soon as possible.
