UK TREND : The public’s response to the teachers strike

1 February 2023

The most significant teachers’ strike in years will take place following the failure of “deeply disappointing” negotiations with the education secretary. In the first nationwide strikes since 2016, teachers are preparing to walk out in England and Wales over pay.

In what will be the largest day of industrial action in more than a decade, up to 500,000 workers, including teachers, train drivers, civil servants, university lecturers, bus drivers, and security guards, are expected to participate in the strike on Wednesday the 1st of February.

Twitter has been trending with the hashtag #TeachersStrike in the run-up to the strike, with users tweeting their support for teachers and explaining why such actions are necessary given the conditions of their work.

This is why teachers are striking. #TeacherStrike #SaveOurSchools pic.twitter.com/QjEmh3fJIF

— Emma Cate Stokes (@emmccatt) January 31, 2023

Solidarity with the #TeacherStrike tomorrow. Whether you're on the picket lines at your school or in London protesting, your decision to highlight underfunded schools, workloads and pay is a human right, no matter what this government says.

— Tim Brown (@timb_machine) January 31, 2023

It’s important to note that “this issue is NOT just about teacher pay”, as the Teacher Tool Kit Twitter account stated. It also has to do with underfunded schools, a shortening of the school day and hours, and one of the highest teacher workloads in the world! Parents must support the strike even though it may disrupt their daily routine because it’s imperative to demand better conditions for the teachers, who in turn will provide better teaching for all students.

It's important to note that the impending #TeacherStrike is NOT just about teacher pay!

It's also about:

1. Underfunded schools

2. Squeeze on the school day/hours

3. Teacher workload; one of the highest in the world!

= The means, ALL pupils get less quality teaching!

— 🇬🇧 TeacherToolkit.co.uk (@TeacherToolkit) January 16, 2023

Similar sentiments were expressed by teacher account “Miss Haywood,” who used the example of having to buy supplies for the kids because the school was out. According to her, the strikes are about much more than just demanding higher pay; they’re also about demanding enough funding and resources for our schools.

I’ve been a teacher since September, more than one once I have had to buy a full class set of pencils because we had ran out in school. The strikes are about so much more than ‘wanting more pay’, they’re about wanting adequate funding and resources for our schools. #TeacherStrike

— Miss Haywood (@misshaywoodECT) January 17, 2023

Another teacher pointed out that teachers will actually “ lose a day’s salary over the strike day” . Therefore, they’re not benefiting and have only come to this as a last resort.

You’d be surprised how many non-teachers don’t know that we actually lose a day’s salary when we strike.

#TeacherStrike

— Teacher's Manual (@UnofficialOA) January 31, 2023

It was also shared that while they “ will lose a day’s pay , they will still be doing work at home, such as marking books, planning lessons and answering emails . As teaching is who they are not just a job they do”.

One of the worst things about the #TeacherStrike on Weds is that there will be teachers striking and losing a day's pay who still do work.

They'll mark a set of books, plan lessons, & answer emails. They'll do it because teaching is who they are not just what they do. (https://loscoches.com/)

— Simon Baddeley (@SimBadd64) January 30, 2023

Individuals made it clear on twitter , that “ it’s not just about pay, it is about 13 years of underfunding for schools”.

It's not just about pay, it's about 13 years of underfunding. The 5% offered in Sept wasn't funded, it had to come out of existing school budgets which are already at breaking point, taking money allocated for resources. Schools need properly funding. #TeacherStrike pic.twitter.com/qOWnG2DCBG

— @Bu_Stromell (@MrBromell1) January 31, 2023

Some parents used twitter to show their support for the teachers’ strike, posting that this is a chance for them to teach their kids to stand in solidarity with those who are in need.

Extra bank holiday for the jubilee? "Hooray!" Extra bank holiday (during SATS week) for the coronation? "Hooray?" Teachers striking for fair pay? "Losing a day will ruin our childrens education!" & also, (somehow) "teachers just are glorified babysitters anyway!" #TeacherStrike

— Little Red 💙🌈🇪🇺 (@LittleRedof81) January 31, 2023

They were also sharing that although it may be an inconvenience for which they have to use “ a valuable day of annual leave, just to look after the kids”. They are still in full support and “ will do it again if they have to , in order to show solidarity with the teachers strike”.