TEACHERS' SUPERANNUATION

EDM number 310 in 1996-97, proposed by Gerry Steinberg on 04/12/1996.

That this House is concerned that the stress and demands on teachers arising out of an over-packed curriculum, OFSTED inspections, deteriorating school buildings, inadequate resources, constant denigration and unjustified accusations of failing their pupils have led to thousands of teachers seeking to leave the profession, and to increased discontent and frustration among the older teachers who have seen their professional judgement undermined and the role of the teacher changed dramatically in recent years; believes that the proposed new pension arrangements will result in discontented teachers being locked in, adding to the pressure they feel, which could lead to increasing stress and eventual medical breakdown; also believes this move will not improve standards of educational achievement, as discontented teachers cannot work to their full potential to the benefit of their pupils; and calls on the Government to postpone implementation of the proposals for restricting teachers' early retirement and reducing the employers' contribution to the teachers' pension scheme, to allow an actuarial investigation of alternative arrangements.

This motion has been signed by a total of 128 MPs.