Schools 'running on empty' say teachers

NEARLY three in four (72%) teachers say their school is “running on empty”, a survey has found, ahead of a National Education Union (NEU) indicative strike ballot.

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Seven in 10 (71%) teachers believe their school does not have enough funding to meet basic provision for pupils, the survey of 2,000 NEU members found.

Special and primary school teachers were even more likely (78%) to say their school could not afford the basics.

It comes as NEU members are set to vote in an indicative ballot in February asking whether they would be willing to strike over school funding and their pay and workload.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “Schools are running on empty. Chronic underfunding means fewer teaching assistants and larger classes.