NASUWT: Schools bullied into becoming academies
Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, accuses Michael Gove of introducing policies which will create a lost generation.
"Unfortunately this is just more of the same from the secretary of state.
"Obsessively focusing on academies, invidiously name-checking the favoured few, substituting anecdote for evidence, misleading the public and misrepresenting the impact of his reforms.
"The truth, unpalatable as it may be for the secretary of state, must be recognised.
"Schools are being bullied, bounced and bribed into becoming academies.
"Schools and local authorities are slashing vital jobs and services which are needed to support children and young people.
"Youth unemployment is rising. Access to further and higher education is now based on the ability to pay.
"Work experience opportunities are being cut and vocational courses downgraded.
"Having introduced policies which will create a lost generation of young people, it is staggering that the secretary of state can claim that the Coalition has 'guaranteed the life of the next generation will be better than our own.'
"All of this might explain why the response from the audience at the Conference was less than enthusiastic."
