NUT: Academies are privatisation on a grand scale

The National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower comments on the final debates on the academies bill in the Commons:

“Whatever people’s views on the academies bill, there is great distrust at the way the government has rushed this legislation through.

“The bill is an attack on the very existence of democratically accountable, free state comprehensive education. It is privatisation on a grand scale and it is unacceptable that such a significant bill has not been allotted sufficient time to be properly scrutinised.

“The NUT will continue its work across the trade union movement and with parents, governors and MPs to build on the huge support there already is to defend our state education system and to ensure that all children have access to a good local school for every child.”