http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581 The NewsBiscuit Community en-US Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:30:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/search.php http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73991 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:30:42 +0000 bonjonelson 73991@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Thanks, TheUmpire, for the grammar tip, I think it's now much more clear for all of us. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73985 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:48:03 +0000 waylandsmithy 73985@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>@theumpire:</p> <p>Yeah, I know. It was supposed to be funny...hopefully that's much more clearererer.</p> <p>But you can't say 'more clearer' either. Unless that was a joke too? </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73958 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:32:58 +0000 theumpire 73958@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Smithy<br /> -<br /> It's either "much clearer now" or "more clearer now", not "much more clearer now".</p> <p>And , by the way, no it's not. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73525 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:05:02 +0000 saltire 73525@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Haven't read all the political bullshit but here goes.Teachers and students have been 'dumb as rocks'for some considerable time [reflecting society in general,Banking,Retail,National Heath etc].Over recent years I've met enough of them,both experienced and newly qualified to form a some kind of balanced opinion.An education system and a country looking for the cheapest option.Blair ? Balls ? Milliband ? Dave ? Wotsisname ? Public Service used to be exactly that,A SERVICE.If you don't like it,you may/or may not find the private sector willing to welcome you with a golden handshake and a safe,index-linked pension &amp; job for life.Teacher,Nurse,Social Worker etc honourable occupations all.It would be most disconcerting to think that people took up these professions for reasons other than altruism but then again it's not fair is it ? </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73497 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:35:59 +0000 waylandsmithy 73497@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Rikkor, you're half-right. Depends if my statement is considered to be subjunctive or indicative. </p> <p>I had intended it to be indicative, as I felt at the time I was supposing the possible. Hence the use of the singular 'was'.</p> <p>However, after taking into account my lack of teaching qualifications and general aptitude for dealing with kids, I now realise it was an impossible supposition, so the plural 'were' is indeed more correct.</p> <p>I hope that's much more clearer now. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73486 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:14:39 +0000 rikkor 73486@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Oh, by the way, Wayland, it should be if I "were" a teacher. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-73485 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:12:46 +0000 Mr Payne 73485@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>I'm not striking. There is a reason that the NUT is so named. Filled with historical socialist drum bangers who would strike if a child farted during assembly and wasn't electrocuted as a consequence. Nutters who belong to an amazing vocation yet willingly complain until everyone decides that they're all twats who get too much holiday and are whingers. Fodder to the cannon for people like Rikkor. In some cases, unfortunately, he's right.<br /> My solution would be to introduce compulsory 3 year contracts for all teachers and headteachers. That way there would be a transfer market and a school could have some control over the dynamics of the staffroom and people could complain if they wished with the understanding that their stance, if negative to the school or children's progress, would mean they would soon be looking for a new job. This would instantly provoke strike action from the NUT, however. Probably because they know their members would be on much more dodgy ground. Generalising, of course. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72788 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:11:00 +0000 Ironduke 72788@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Small point- in academy system, maintenance of pupil roll is the main driver for school income. Expansion of good schools is being facilitated. Poor school- no-one wants to send their children there- school lose income. The academy system actually promotes the employment of good teachers (with facility to pay them more to attract them) to increase performance and attract more children. And it is still the governing body that would decide on salaries, including head teacher's. TUPE means that contract terms and conditions stand following transfer.</p> <p>In my vet practice, I could employ newly graduated, inexperienced, cheaper vets; I don't, because my clients would leave. Academy system creates same principle- excel to thrive.</p> <p>Here endeth the rant, apologies for absence of humour, but I'm guessing you're getting used to that from my work! </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72774 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:20:21 +0000 NewSuburbanDad 72774@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>It's not about whether teachers get a cushy deal, it's about the validity of contracts, specifically the contract that says 'I will spend most of my time working for you, in return for which you will give me X'. We are repeatedly told that PFI contracts can never be changed, or that aircraft carriers must be built even if not required, or that train franchises need to be longer, but public sector employment terms and conditions are routinely shat all over by the simple expedient of transferring employment to a private company, thus breaking the contract even if the staff do the same job with the same title after transfer.</p> <p>It's happened to cleaners and council staff, and now it's happening to teachers.<br /> For schools becoming academies, the teacher's contract with the LEA is ripped up and they are employed directly by the school. Which means the easiest way for a head to meet his budget is to let all experienced staff go and hire rookies at lower rates than they would have got had they come via the LA. And an unscrupulous head could award himself a fat bonus for doing so.<br /> Wouldn't it be great if the government could rip up PFI contracts because shares being sold on by the original bidder meant they (the gov) were 'no longer dealing with the original company as defined in the contract'?<br /> I'm not Dave Spart, in fact, I'm an employer, and if I tried to pull this fast one on my staff they would have every right to walk out. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72766 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:37:56 +0000 Qoxiivi 72766@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>"In the US, $100K per annum and up"</p> <p>Surely that's because, in the US, it's danger money. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72735 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 06:32:01 +0000 waylandsmithy 72735@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>I'm not really having a go, I just think they've chosen an odd battle to fight. I'd have walked out ages ago...</p> <p>It's annoying that everyone has to work longer, but that's the inevitable price of increasing life expectancy. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72734 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 06:31:14 +0000 ronseal 72734@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>"Who wants a teacher in their mid 60s?"</p> <p>That's a bit harsh, surely.</p> <p>Actually, I'm not a teacher, so I won't pretend I know anything about this.</p> <p>But I will say one thing:</p> <p>I think they're both as bad as each other.</p> <p>What about <em>my</em> human rights? </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72733 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 05:40:17 +0000 be reasonable 72733@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Well said Rikkor. They're not badly paid here either, they just think they are.<br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYVw9uyiGwQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYVw9uyiGwQ</a> </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72717 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:12:58 +0000 rikkor 72717@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Gawd. Teachers are the world's biggest whiners. In the US, $100K per annum and up, 12 weeks vacation, and whine, whine , whine. STFU! If you don't like it, go get a real job. No one cares about your complaining. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72715 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:09:03 +0000 Qoxiivi 72715@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>I could say a lot on this as my wife is a teacher, but I won't as I can't be bothered. Suffice to say the whole 'holidays' thing really isn't as great as people think it is. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72701 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:30:46 +0000 fun and games 72701@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>Yes Al, if making a judgement about what is the appropriate age to be in a classroom, then I am being ageist. Whether you think that is at 60, 80 or 100, at some point the physical and mental slowdown inevitably takes its toll. You can get on your politically correct high horse if you like, but I think you need to know what it takes to interact successfully with one crowd of teenagers after another, before you throw slurs around. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72696 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:51:25 +0000 Al OPecia 72696@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>F &amp; G are you being ageist?</p> <p>For the last 2 ears I have had a 0% payrise awarded in full and backdated. </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72692 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:26:37 +0000 Ironduke 72692@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>I think public opinion is very relevant. The success or otherwise of the strike will depend on public opinion swaying behind them. They are state employees, and Government will sway to public opinion. Private businesses don't need to.</p> <p>So yes, I think they have had a rough deal with a two year pay freeze; and having seen just a little of their work I think its is an incredibly hard profession, particularly now you can't even slap the thick, fat ginger kid or peek over the lavatory door without some sort of irrational furore. Honestly, where are the perks? </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72689 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:58:42 +0000 fun and games 72689@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>I don't think the public's opinion is really relevant here. This isn't an election. They are striking as the goalposts are being moved without any consultation process, meaning they have to contribute more and work longer (until 67). Who would want someone in their mid 60s teaching their kids? </p> http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/topic.php?id=26581#post-72687 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:40:02 +0000 waylandsmithy 72687@http://newsbiscuit.com/forum/ <p>If I was a teacher, I would consider striking over:</p> <p>- Hours spent filling in mountains of forms<br /> - unfair recruitment process<br /> - attacks on staff by pupils<br /> - poor pay<br /> - idiotic parents blaming teachers for their kids being thick.</p> <p>However, I <em>wouldn't</em> strike over pensions. Or for extra holidays, either.</p> <p>Did they deliberately choose a cause that they knew the public wouldn't care about? I have a lot of sympathy for teachers (except Mrs Phelps, she was a bitch). But not so much for their pension situation. </p>