South Yorkshire teachers 'sick' of having to use their own wages on resources
We've been speaking to staff in the education sector as most schools resume today
As the majority of pupils in South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire return to the classroom today - staff in the education sector tell us they're 'sick' of having to use their own wages on resources.
Karen Mee teaches English & Drama at a number of secondary schools in Sheffield.
She says extra government funding is needed to 'fill the gaps':
"Teaching is and should be a wonderful job, but unfortunately it's very much skewed at the moment because we're dealing with the effects of austerity.
"We're dealing with a budget that isn't adequate, and we're dealing with a really bad recruitment and retention crisis.
"The education system is in crisis and it's damaging for our children.
"All teachers are very conscientious, and we care about the children, so if there are gaps in what our children are getting, then teachers will fill them in - that's what we do.
"We do what we can to give every child the best possible chance at success."
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Through our Plan for Change we are determined to break down the barriers to opportunity children face by driving high and rising standards across education. Our teachers are integral to that mission.
“The Budget delivered on the government’s commitment to put education back at the forefront of national life, increasing school funding to almost £63.9 billion next year.
“On top of the 5.5% teacher pay award announced recently for 24/25, we are resetting the relationship with the education workforce, re-establishing teaching as an attractive, expert profession, which new graduates want to join and existing teachers want to stay in.”