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Striking teachers united in protest - GALLERY
HUNDREDS of teachers and lecturers from across South Yorkshire staged a march and rally in Sheffield city centre on the day many schools and colleges were brought to a standstill.
Members of the National Union of Teachers joined forces with the University and College Union to demand pay increases in line with rising inflation.
Teachers have been offered a rise of 2.45 per cent, while further education lecturers are seeking a six per cent rise which would move their pay rates closer to those in the teaching profession.
Georgia Dowsett, a newly-qualified teacher working in a Rotherham secondary, told the rally in Barker's Pool that she was passionate and enthusiastic about her job.
"But many people don't realise how demanding and time-consuming it is, and the personal sacrifices needed to be successful," she said.
Georgia said university left her with a 'sickening' amount of debt and she was unable to afford a car or mortgage.
"It is disgusting that teachers cannot afford to buy an average house in an average town. With regards to our pay we have seen nothing but lies and broken promises," she added.
NUT regional officer Rhoda Andocow said teachers had to work hard to dispel the myths about the profession – such as claims that average pay is 34,500.
"It takes 10 years to get to that level – young teachers are earning thousands less than their fellow graduates in real terms. We have to tell it like it is in the real world," she said.
"Half of our new teachers are leaving the profession, which is doing massive damage to our education system – all we seek is to pay teachers fairly."
UCU representative Dave Gibson, from Barnsley College, said lecturers' pay had gone down and down and they were way behind teachers.
"We were offered a 1.75 per cent rise this year and many lecturers do not even get automatic national rises – they have to fight hard for local deals. Many are waiting for rises to be paid that were agreed last August," he added.
Doncaster teacher Joe Henry said teachers were also calling for a defence of the public education system.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
