16 January 2014 NUT strike, Gateway sixth form college in Leicester , photo S Score

16 January 2014 NUT strike, Gateway sixth form college in Leicester , photo S Score   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Thousands of teachers will take strike action and hold a national protest in central London on 15 March against cuts to funding for sixth form colleges.

4,000 National Union of Teachers (NUT) members at 93 sixth form colleges in England and Wales, which are estimated to have lost about £100 million since 2010, voted 86% in favour of action on a turnout of 44%.

The strike takes place the day before George Osborne’s budget speech and sends a strong message about his education funding cuts. Cuts to 16-19 funding have been even greater than cuts to school funding. Teachers in sixth form colleges are facing threats to pay, working conditions and employment and students are facing threats to their education.

This strong ballot result shows the strength of feeling among sixth form college teachers. Sixth form colleges provide a vital service to over 150,000 young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Funding has already been cut in real terms by 14% and further real terms cuts of 8% are now planned. Colleges are dropping courses and increasing class sizes. If this situation is not reversed, many colleges will face closure.

The situation is untenable. It is clear that further education colleges are bearing the brunt of austerity measures to state education.

But the problems facing teachers are across the board and are the result of a government that is trying to ripen the school system ready for privatisation.

Socialist Party members have been at the forefront of the Local Associations for National Action Campaign (Lanac) in NUT. Lanac has consistently argued for a serious plan of escalating national action and teachers will need to be prepared for this to defeat the government.