Bridget Phillipson, the newly appointed Education Secretary, has set out her vision for overhauling the UK's education system, pledging to address chronic teacher shortages, boost school funding, and modernise the curriculum to better prepare students for the future.
Addressing Teacher Shortages
Phillipson emphasised the urgent need to attract and retain teaching staff, calling the current shortages a "crisis" that undermines educational quality. She proposed competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and targeted recruitment campaigns to fill vacancies.
Funding and Resources
The Education Secretary criticised years of underfunding in schools, promising a significant cash injection to repair crumbling infrastructure and provide up-to-date learning materials. "Our children deserve better than leaking roofs and outdated textbooks," she stated.
Curriculum Modernisation
Phillipson announced plans to review the national curriculum, with a focus on digital skills, critical thinking, and practical knowledge. "Education must evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century," she told reporters.
Early Reactions
Teaching unions welcomed the proposals but urged swift action, while opposition MPs questioned how the reforms would be funded. The plans are expected to face scrutiny as details emerge in coming weeks.
