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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/944/25259
From The Socialist newspaper, 12 April 2017
Cuts leave schools unable to meet basic needs
School food boy (Click to enlarge)
Akila Kumar, Birmingham teacher
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has proposed to fund free school meals for all primary school children by adding VAT tax on private education fees.
At a time when schools are facing severe cuts to their budgets, Corbyn's proposal is a welcome measure. It is an absolute disgrace that, due to cuts to benefits and the rise of in-work poverty, some parents go hungry so that their children can have a decent meal.
But to solve the crisis in education, Corbyn needs to go even further. His proposal should be just one of many measures to increase the funding available to schools. The government's brutal cuts to education mean that primary schools will lose on average £403 per pupil and secondary schools will lose £554 per pupil by 2020.
It is no wonder that schools are struggling to fund basic resources for pupils: the school I work at cannot afford to replace basic classroom equipment.
Even more shocking, one primary school in Sussex has had to ask pupils to donate toilet roll and stationery, as it cannot afford to finance these items due to cuts. One in six state schools have sent letters to families asking for contributions of £20 a month or more for around 1.4 million students.
Elsewhere, schools are considering closing early two days a week as they cannot afford enough teachers.
Government cuts have left schools unable to meet the basic needs of pupils. Meanwhile, the government continues to promote inequality through academies, free schools and grammar schools.
These should be abolished and replaced by a properly resourced state education system for all. No school should have to ask for handouts from parents because they cannot afford resources.
No parent should have to go hungry so that their child can eat. There is enough money in the hands of the super-rich to finance a decent state education for every pupil.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
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- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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In The Socialist 12 April 2017:
NHS SOS
Victory! Health workers walk out
Hundreds march to save the NHS in Carlisle
Carlisle NHS privateers leave patients at risk
Save our schools!
School cuts can be beaten with a strategy to win
Cuts leave schools unable to meet basic needs
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Cardiff: Labour right rattled by anti-cuts TUSC
Doncaster: Socialist Steve's growing support
International socialist news and analysis
Attacks ratchet-up Syrian conflict and fuel tensions between powers
France: Groundswell of support for left candidates
Ireland: Bury the water charges
Socialist Party news and analysis
Scrap the Tory 'rape clause' and all benefit attacks
Thousands left with 50p for rent - cap rents, not benefits
47,000 kids exposed to illegal toxic air
Socialist Party workplace news
Solid strike across the rail network against unsafe driver-only operation
PCS election: Vote Democracy Alliance
Car workers strike at BMW in defence of pensions
Derby teaching assistants accept offer to end pay dispute
Arts unions agree joint campaign work
Livingstone, Labour and anti-Semitism
Livingstone, Labour and anti-Semitism
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Excellent Socialist Party trade union meeting
Last quarter's fighting fund target smashed, now make our voice heard in elections
Action against cuts at Solent University
Police officers face misconduct charges over attack on 'freedom ride'
Newham socialists attend 'I, Daniel Blake' film night
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