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REC responds to Taxpayers’ Alliance report on the cost of supply teachers

The REC has today responded to claims from the Taxpayers’ Alliance about the increasing amounts of money that is being spent on supply teachers. 

Commenting, Gillian Econopouly, the REC’s Head of Policy, said:

“These claims are based on an incomplete understanding of the role supply teachers play.   These professionals are not an alternative to a full time appointment, but instead, ensure that staff absence does not compromise quality of education.  The choice for local authorities is not  whether to  employ a supply teacher or make a permanent appointment,  but rather  to establish whether a supply teacher  is the best  way of ensuring classroom teaching continues without undue disruption.

“It is the students who are most disadvantaged when schools  reduce budgets for  supply teachers  and attempt to save money by placing unqualified cover supervisors to do the job of a qualified teaching professional.  All REC Education members are fully qualified, vetted and experienced professionals who can maintain educational standards until a full time appointment is made.  

"This quality assurance is particularly important in poorer areas, and it is critical that those who most need supply teachers have the funding to ensure local educational needs are met.”