40,000 Teaching Assistant Jobs Could Be At Risk

A heavily disputed Government report was leaked out on Sunday, painting a less than positive picture of the state's education system. The report, written by former WH Smith executive Richard Handover, found that the state's schools have been wasting pounds on equipment and managment, as well as not keeping documentation of of how much is spent.

Perhaps the most alarming part of the report is where Mr Handover recommends that nearly 40,000 teaching assistant jobs could be at risk. Not only do teaching assistant jobs need to be cut for budgeting purposes, but also because "the assistants add little or nothing to the quality of teaching", Mr Handover reports.

And while this claim may seem a bit harsh, The London Institute of Education found that assistants help in reducing the levels of stress experienced by teachers, but do not help in increasing the academic progress of students. In fact, it was found that some students who received help from assistants made less progress than those who were not helped.

Despite what was reported, ministers and teaching unions stand by their assistants and assure people that they are essential to a child's academic outcome. The schools secretary, Ed Balls, reports that although cuts need to be made, he will not take Mr Handover's recommendations for cutting the jobs of teaching assistants. However, Mr Handover's advice has led to future changes in the state's educational system and new preparations are already in the works for the next spending period.

More importantly, Mr Handover's report shed light on the fact that savings can be made in the education system, without jeopardizing the academic success of students.

Job Centre Vacancies says: With public sector spending inevitably going to fall as all parties put forward cuts ahead of the general election, these sorts of issues are unfortunately going to rear their ugly heads more often. It is a tough decision for all as to where they place their vote and thus what public sector departments suffer the most.

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