Poverty has a lifelong impact on education and learning. The government’s austerity measures are making an already near impossible situation worse. Not addressing the unacceptable levels of poverty in this country betrays not only this generation but future generations too.
Life is hard for thousands of families and thousands of individuals who are on the receiving end of cuts to welfare benefits and the cuts in services. Many have to resort to food banks and many live in fear of the bedroom tax. A staggering two-thirds of children who are living in poverty have at least one member of their family in paid employment. The Institute of Fiscal Studies has said that people receiving tax credits would be “significantly worse off” as a result of the measures introduced in the latest Spending Review.
Education should give every young person an equal opportunity, yet clearly the consequences of the government’s austerity measures threaten this. Teachers are seeing children come to school hungry, many will also be tired and cold due to inadequate heating and clothing. Many teachers are supporting children by bringing in food. This should not be happening in one of the richest countries in the world.
We are hearing from teachers about the disappearing cohorts of children. These are children who have moved from their homes in established communities because their families can no longer afford to live in those homes, either because of the bedroom tax, or because of the unacceptable levels of rent people are being expected to pay.
Poverty also limits choice. Children may avoid certain subjects because additional materials that might be needed present a charge on the family’s budget they know cannot be met. Cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance and exorbitant university fees will deter many from low income families to go onto further or higher education.
Children who are growing up in households where money is extremely tight will often not have access to the same cultural experiences as their peers. Parents and carers will either have to be working longer hours to make ends meet or not have the money to afford such things. Even free experiences such as a museum visit may involve travel costs. Many schools can no longer fill the gap.
Cuts to budgets mean that many schools are having to scale back on trips and activities outside of school or are having to ask parents for a greater contribution. Clearly the biggest losers here will be children from low-income families.
The announcement in the Spending Review that education funding is set to be cut yet again puts the hard work of teachers and students under threat. Even before the announcement of more cuts, schools and colleges were already struggling, with many at breaking point. Funding for 16 to 19 education was cut by 14 per cent in real terms under the previous government, with yet more cuts to come.
Sixth forms and further education colleges have been pushed to the brink. Many will face closure or at the very least a reduction in the subjects they can offer. This will affect disadvantaged children the most as they see local provision for post-16 education in their area curtailed.
We are also seeing local authority services ranging from music lessons to SEN alongside general advice and support to schools being heavily reduced or disappearing altogether. This causes real problems for schools who can no longer afford to provide the all-round support and educational experience every child deserves.
We need a proper debate on education funding and poverty, not the smoke and mirrors we get from the government. No child should grow up in poverty. Our schools and colleges must have the funding and resources necessary to provide the educational experience our students need. Surely that is not too much to ask and is what our children deserve?
- Christine Blower is general secretary of the National Union of Teachers. Visit www.teachers.org.uk