Enfield teachers on strike, 24.3.19, photo by John Dolan

Enfield teachers on strike, 24.3.19, photo by John Dolan   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

John Dolan, North London Socialist Party

A lively and noisy demonstration of over 100 striking teachers (members of the National Education Union – NEU), parents and other supporters took place on 24 March. The protesters marched through Edmonton Green Shopping Centre against the planned academisation of five primary schools in Enfield, north London, on 1 April.

Spirits were high, with noisy singing and chanting. Shoppers also applauded as the march passed by.

There were speakers at the end – parent Lucy Howes, Amna Hick from Enfield NEU, Oktay Sahbaz from DayMer, and Louise Cuffaro from Newham NEU.

Louise, a Socialist Party member, was involved in a successful campaign to prevent academisation at her school.

It was good to hear all of the speakers condemn the privatisation that is academisation. This was true even of the Enfield Labour council leader who also spoke – but the New Labour governments of 1997-2010 introduced and promoted academies. Academisation is one of the things that Jeremy Corbyn’s Blairite opponents support.

The message from the march and rally was clear – the fight goes on, and we fight to win!