Morale in schools has declined dramatically in recent months, with teachers saying they feel untrusted by government. A YouGov poll of more than 800 teachers finds that morale is at “dangerously low” levels.
The study, commissioned by the National Union of Teachers, found that 55 per cent of the respondents reported their morale as being either “low” or “very low” – a rise of 11 per cent since April last year.
Around seven in 10 teachers said their morale had fallen since the 2010 General Election. A similar number saying they felt “rarely” or “never” trusted by government, compared to 54 per cent in April 2010. Elsewhere, 77 per cent said that the government’s impact on education since May 2010 had been negative.
The recent decision by education secretary Michael Gove to scrap the national pay framework for teachers also caused anger among respondents, with 77 per cent rejecting the idea that their pay should be at the discretion of the headteacher or governing body.
Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: “Teaching is one the best professions in the world but it is also one of the hardest. Teachers do not need to be subjected to the continual criticism and undermining of pay and conditions.
“This survey paints a very sorry picture and is a damming indictment of coalition government policies. Michael Gove has been allowed to rush through educational reforms and his academies and free schools projects based on little or no evidence. We need to see education policy being implemented that works for all children and young people and provides them with an education that is exciting and fulfilling.”