March of 5,000 against Tory plans to cut 1,000 Bristol teachers

5,000 march in Bristol against education cuts on 20 May 2017 photo Roger Thomas

5,000 march in Bristol against education cuts on 20 May 2017 photo Roger Thomas   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Tom Baldwin, Bristol South Socialist Party

In Bristol, schools are due to lose more than £32 million, the equivalent of 1,000 teachers. Tory spending plans will see 98% of all schools in England worse off.

Around 5,000 people took to the streets of Bristol to oppose these devastating education cuts on 20 May. The demonstration, organised by the National Union of Teachers, brought in people from across the local area.

Pupils, parents and teachers alike were chanting: “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts!” Anger towards Tory cuts is rising as some schools in the area are now sending out letters warning what the impact will be.

Increasing class sizes, shortening the school day, cutting subjects from the curriculum, cutting support for children with additional needs, and firing teachers and other staff. They are all being considered to cover the huge shortfall schools will face.

This government is willing to damage the future of a whole generation of children just to pay for tax cuts for their super-rich friends. It’s no wonder that most people at the protest saw the need to kick the Tories out of power in order to protect education.

The Socialist Party’s message was very well received on the demonstration. We sold over 100 copies of the Socialist newspaper.