Voice: Training ex-troops as teachers

Tuesday, 30, Sep 2008 12:00

General Secretary Philip Parkin interviewed on LBC about Conservative Party Conference proposal to train ex-troops as teachers.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Voice General Secretary Philip Parkin said that schools needed good teachers from a variety of backgrounds, whether that was military or elsewhere.

He said: "I think we should be giving them that opportunity to change careers to become teachers, to become radio presenters…

[re male role models] "We do want more men in the teaching profession, there’s no doubt about it. It’s becoming an increasing female profession, so, in that sense, yes. But I’m not sure how much we want to bring military activity and military experience and military modes of discipline and organisation into the classroom.

"Schools are not the military and we have to understand that they don’t operate in that way.

[concerned there may be too much discipline?] "No, I’m not concerned at all. I’m concerned that we get the right people. As long as the people coming in – and if they’re coming from the services, fine – as long as they understand that education and schools are a different type of organisation to the military.

[not enough discipline in schools?] "I think there’s an awful lot of discipline in an awful lot of schools, and I don’t think we should inflate the problem.

[parents wouldn’t agree] "I think you’re wrong. I think you’d find that the vast majority of children in this country go to well-disciplined, well-organised schools, and I think it’s only the ones where there is a problem that you hear about."

ends

philipparkin@voicetheunion.org.uk

pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk