UNISON Conference - Reprioritise Motion 64- Education

Those who are regular attendees of UNISON conference’s will know that on Friday afternoon motion’s that have been prioritised by regions, SOG’s and NEC can be reprioritised I.E brought forward for discussion. I make no apology for getting in early and calling for motion 64 to be reprioritised.

Motion 64 is the only motion on education that is even on the agenda. However it is so far down the agenda that there is little chance of it being discussed, without it being reprioritised, on the Friday of conference. I am frankly very disappointed that UNISON activists have failed to prioritise this motion.

The current attacks on education are on a similar scale to the attacks on the NHS. Those attacks will see the Labour Governments disgraceful academy programme accelerated to an unprecedented level. Along with the creation of free schools, this is leading to a mass outsourcing of schools into the private sector.

To demonstrate this ideological and unprecedented attack the secretary of state for education, Gove has today announced a completely arbitrary number of 200 primary schools to be immediately converted to academy status (with more to come) on the basis that they are the worst performing schools. Along with the privatisation this attack will create a democratic deficit. This will have little if any accountability to anyone other the trust which is made up of three governors of the old school, the head teacher and the sponsor (private company).

UNISON needs to be at the forefront of defending education and campaigning for a comprehensive education system that will support all children. UNISON seems to be increasing leaving such a campaign to just the teacher’s unions. Delegates to UNISON conference should not go away from this year’s conference without having discussed what is happening to our educations system. Reprioritise motion 64 and vote for it and its amendments.