What future for school leavers?
Jim Thomson ( Somerset NUT and ‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ )
Teachers work their socks off to get students through exams. We are absolutely delighted when our pupils achieve good grades and the day finally arrives when they step out into the wide world to make their fortune - or so the fairy stories go. These days, however, the only people making fortunes are bankers - who got the big banks, and everyone else, into deep trouble, were then bailed out from the public purse - yet still clock up million pound bonuses!
Their "greed is good morality" has led directly to a jobs crisis particularly amongst 16-25 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs). Even if school leavers get jobs, they are often low paid. If students manage to get to university, the fees and loans system only means huge debt. Many young teachers are burdened with debts of £20,000 or more to pay back. With the government slicing £900 million off the higher education budget, and with decent jobs draining away, things are not going to get better.
The future could be very bleak for youngsters coming out onto the jobs market. With large scale job losses in the retail sector and across other industries, on top of massive cuts being planned in public services, youth unemployment will soon top 1 million.Demoralisation and even racist divisions could set in. The BNP and the far right hope to exploit the situation facing workers and young people. They aim to get a wider platform for their racist, divisive ideas by standing their leader Nick Griffin in the general election in Barking, an area decimated by lack of housing and jobs. Griffin will pretend to be the champion of ordinary white working class people against the unpopular Labour MP Margaret Hodge.
Recently East London Bus workers went on strike forming picket lines of hundreds - working people of all races and religions united to defend themselves. The BNP will try to drive workers and young people apart. That is why ‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ has called a demo. on March 13 and is asking for support from trade unions.
‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ was launched in January 2009 to stand up for young people, and to campaign for our rights in the recession. It is supported by the PCS, RMT and CWU nationally as well as local branches of many unions, including some NUT Local Associations.
We urge you to come to the Barking demo with your colleagues. Let your students know about it too! Visit: www.youthfightforjobs.com
MARCH FOR REAL JOBS * BARKING * SAT 13 MARCH
Teachers work their socks off to get students through exams. We are absolutely delighted when our pupils achieve good grades and the day finally arrives when they step out into the wide world to make their fortune - or so the fairy stories go. These days, however, the only people making fortunes are bankers - who got the big banks, and everyone else, into deep trouble, were then bailed out from the public purse - yet still clock up million pound bonuses!
Their "greed is good morality" has led directly to a jobs crisis particularly amongst 16-25 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs). Even if school leavers get jobs, they are often low paid. If students manage to get to university, the fees and loans system only means huge debt. Many young teachers are burdened with debts of £20,000 or more to pay back. With the government slicing £900 million off the higher education budget, and with decent jobs draining away, things are not going to get better.
The future could be very bleak for youngsters coming out onto the jobs market. With large scale job losses in the retail sector and across other industries, on top of massive cuts being planned in public services, youth unemployment will soon top 1 million.Demoralisation and even racist divisions could set in. The BNP and the far right hope to exploit the situation facing workers and young people. They aim to get a wider platform for their racist, divisive ideas by standing their leader Nick Griffin in the general election in Barking, an area decimated by lack of housing and jobs. Griffin will pretend to be the champion of ordinary white working class people against the unpopular Labour MP Margaret Hodge.
Recently East London Bus workers went on strike forming picket lines of hundreds - working people of all races and religions united to defend themselves. The BNP will try to drive workers and young people apart. That is why ‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ has called a demo. on March 13 and is asking for support from trade unions.
‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ was launched in January 2009 to stand up for young people, and to campaign for our rights in the recession. It is supported by the PCS, RMT and CWU nationally as well as local branches of many unions, including some NUT Local Associations.
We urge you to come to the Barking demo with your colleagues. Let your students know about it too! Visit: www.youthfightforjobs.com
MARCH FOR REAL JOBS * BARKING * SAT 13 MARCH
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