UCAC calls for urgent action to improve supply teachers' pay and conditions

The announcement came at the end of a Plenary Debate in the National Assembly on a report by the Children, Young People and Education Committee into ‘Supply Teaching in Wales.’ 

 

In addition to the Children, Young People and Education Committee’s report, the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, Estyn and the Wales Audit Office have all published reports which are critical of the current system that is over-dependent on the use of private agencies. There are concerns about the effect of the current system on educational standards.

 

Elaine Edwards, UCAC’s General Secretary said “The savings made through using agencies are a false economy. They undermine teachers’ statutory pay and conditions and create a ‘second class’ group of teachers. 

“Apart for substantially lower pay, teachers who work through agencies, on the whole, do not receive holiday or sick pay, pension contributions, and many receive little or no training.

 

“UCAC is eager to contribute to the work of the taskforce announced by the Minister today. We will be arguing for a system that ensures that supply teachers are treated equitably – on a par with other teachers – and that they are able to access statutory teachers’ pay and conditions and the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

 

“High quality education systems are dependent on high quality teachers. Investing in the workforce by means of securing fair terms and conditions would be the best possible investment in public services and in maintaining and raising standards.

 

“We now need to act with urgency. The current system has been letting pupils, teachers and the education system down for too long – it’s high time we made significant changes.”

 

For further information, please contact Rebecca Williams on 01970 639 950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..