Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged to reverse the alarming exodus of teachers from UK schools by introducing a series of bold reforms aimed at improving pay, workload, and working conditions.
In her first major speech since taking office, Phillipson acknowledged the deepening crisis in the education sector, where record numbers of teachers are leaving the profession due to excessive workloads and stagnant wages.
Key Reforms to Retain Teachers
The proposed measures include:
- A significant pay rise for early-career teachers
- Reduced administrative burdens to cut working hours
- Better support for professional development
- Improved school funding allocations
Addressing the Crisis Head-On
"We cannot build a world-class education system if we're losing talented teachers at this rate," Phillipson stated. "These reforms represent our commitment to making teaching an attractive, sustainable career choice again."
The announcement comes as recent figures show nearly 40,000 teachers left the profession last year, with workload cited as the primary reason by 70% of departing staff.
Mixed Reactions from Education Sector
While teaching unions have welcomed the proposals, some have expressed skepticism about implementation timelines. "The devil will be in the details," cautioned one union leader, "but this is certainly a step in the right direction."
Opposition critics have questioned how the reforms will be funded, with shadow ministers demanding clearer costings.
