Cllr Alan Hall has joined education campaigners across the UK and the National Education Union calling on the Prime Minister to leave no child behind.
In response to a report by the National Foundation for Education Research, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Since March schools have been in uncharted territory and they have been doing all they can to support pupils. Heads and teachers are all too aware of the disparity in home learning and the lack of engagement that remote learning can foster. For some families this is exacerbated by the impact of poverty and unsuitable home environments such as lack of space and IT equipment. The Government’s effort to meet IT need has been sluggish and inconsistent.”
“The NEU has spoken up for disadvantaged children throughout this crisis. According to IPPR, there will be 200,000 more children living in poverty by Christmas, and the gap between disadvantage children and their peers was prevalent before Covid-19. It is now time for the Government to ensure no child is left behind by ending the scourge of child poverty.”
Commenting on “Hungry for change: fixing the failures in food“, a report published by the House of Lords Food, Poverty, Health and Environment Committee, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Food poverty and insecurity have a severely detrimental impact on a child’s ability to learn in school. It affects their attainment, confidence and mental health. 4.5 million children will be trapped in poverty by Christmas – Government must act now to implement a nationwide strategic plan to increase household incomes and release families from the shame and indignity of having to rely on foodbanks and food voucher schemes.
“The global health crisis has seen communities come together through hardship and adversity – when we move beyond this pandemic, we must build back a society in which no child comes to school too hungry to learn.”
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Every child should have food, an affordable school uniform and the basic tools to learn.
When children don’t have the basics, they fall behind on their education. When there’s a learning gap, an opportunity gap follows.
In Britain every child should have the chance to succeed. But right now there are 4.2 million children trapped in poverty. By Christmas, 200,000 more children will be pushed below the poverty line.
As coronavirus continues to affect families across the country, children face their toughest challenge yet.
Call on the Government to ensure every child has the chance to succeed.
Add your name here to support educators by signing the letter here
The full text of the letter to the Prime Minister:
“No child left behind means every child should have food, clothes and the basic tools to learn.
When children don’t have the basics, they fall behind on their education. When there’s a learning gap, an opportunity gap follows.
In Britain, every child should have the chance to succeed.
But today there are 4.2 million children living in poverty — and it’s only getting worse. By Christmas, 200,000 more children will be pushed below the poverty line.
As coronavirus continues to affect families across the country and local lockdowns start to bite, children face their toughest challenge yet.
The Government must do everything in its power to help children succeed.
Food and affordable uniforms are the minimum.
For decades it’s been essential for children to have access to computers and the internet. Now it’s more urgent than ever for children to access an education from home.
As educators, we are calling on the Prime Minister to leave no child behind. Will you join us?
The Government must urgently deliver:
- Expanded eligibility for free school meals for every child on Universal Credit
- Free school meals expanded year-round to end holiday hunger
- Affordable school uniforms
- Free Wi-Fi access for disadvantaged pupils so everyone can learn from home
- A dedicated tech budget for schools to combat the digital divide”