'I can't stand it anymore': Thousands walk out in mass school strikes amid fears for the future of education
Teachers have warned how education is on the line after thousands joined pickets on a day of strike action. More than 12,000 members of the National Education Union were expected to walk out in Greater Manchester today .
"People love our school but overall, it's a massive problem in the profession. As an industry, we are struggling to hire teaching assistant because people can get better paid jobs elsewhere." Teachers on the Whalley Range picket line were beeped by passers-by in support of the strike, while well-wishers provided coffee and snacks. It was a familiar scene outside other schools in Greater Manchester.
The NEU has members in around 1,200 schools across Greater Manchester, not just secondary schools. Outside the region's primary schools, the picket lines may have been smaller, but the passion and anger teachers felt was just as strong. The NEU was one of seven unions taking industrial action, with around 500,000 workers walking out. Academics and university staff were among those walking out, in the first day of strike action from the University and College Union .
A host of speakers led the rally at St Peter's Square before the demonstration marched through the city centre - with teachers joining other striking workers such as civil servants, rail and bus workers. Adam Playle, a history teacher at Sale High School, said he had chosen ‘not to teach history but to make it’ today.
“Enough is enough," she said. "I'm an art teacher and, for the first time I can remember, there is a shortage of us. Schools are struggling to get the staff they need and children are suffering because they are being taught by non-specialists or supply teachers."
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