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From:
Category: goverment policy
Date: 11/03/03
Time: 14:43:26
Remote Name: 158.152.124.170
EDIATE RELEASE
Monday 10 March 2003
DEBATE LAUNCHED ON TEACHING AND FLEXIBLE WORKING
Education is a priority for the UK government - but it just can't get the staff. Despite recruitment campaigns, financial incentives and other initiatives, the teaching profession is struggling to attract new teachers and hold on to those it already has.
As the government prepares to introduce new laws for working parents, an online debate has been launched on the question 'WHAT ROLE CAN FLEXIBLE WORKING PLAY IN SOLVING THE TEACHING CRISIS?'. The debate is hosted by the online publication spiked (www.spiked-online.com) in association with the flexible working specialists Flexecutive, and sponsored by BT.
The debate has been initiated by two position papers.
- CAROL SAVAGE, managing director of Flexecutive, says:
'A balanced society does not come from workaholics driving mindlessly to achieve competitive advantage, but by having an acceptable balance between work and life. We need to encourage teachers, and those responsible for recruiting, training and retaining teachers, to think outside of the box.'
- TOBY MARSHALL, teacher in further education, says:
'Flexible working is likely to encourage the notion that teaching is something you can dip in to and out of, rather than a vocation that demands full-time commitment. Teachers should come to the profession because they are excited by its importance, not because of the ease with which they can get out of it.'
The papers will be followed by responses commissioned from those working in the field, including teachers and former teachers, headteachers, teaching unions, think tanks and parents; and will also be followed by responses from the public.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
CAROL SAVAGE and TOBY MARSHALL are available for comment or interview.
The spiked-debate on teaching and flexible working can be found online, at:
http://www.spiked-online.com/WorkLife
For further details, contact:
Sandy Starr at spiked Tel: +44 (0) 20 7269 9234 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7269 9235 Email: [email protected]