A fundamental change is taking place in the way schools are managed, with payments for additional responsibilities being replaced by Teaching and Learning Responsibility Payments.

David Evans, Secretary NUT Cymru says, “This autumn has seen the NUT taking one-day strike action in a number of south Wales comprehensive schools – from Gorseinon to Pontllanffraith. This is not something we enjoy doing. We prefer to act in consultation – and as Winston Churchill famously remarked, jaw jaw is better than war war.

Unfortunately, in many primary and secondary schools, it is claimed there is not enough money to carry on paying teachers who currently have responsibility payments. As a result of this ill-thought out, badly managed Westminster initiative, many teachers in Wales are facing substantial pay cuts. Not only are their pockets being hit but teachers’ morale and motivation are receiving a severe blow. It cannot be good for education in Wales. NUT Cymru will not hesitate to arrange strike ballots in schools where members request it.

“All this is part of a Westminster Government scheme reorganising the management structure in schools.

“Let’s be clear about this. This is not the fault of Jane Davidson and the Welsh Assembly Government. Pay and conditions of service of teachers remain the responsibility of Westminster. This new scheme has been cobbled together in meetings in London attended by representatives of the Department for Education and Skills. The NUT was not invited because we could see the problems that would arise and were prepared to speak out against the proposals in the interests of our members.

“No decision needs to be written in stone. This is a very clear example of a decision made in England which affects us in Wales. It should never have happened.”