Happy New Year to everyone. I hope the weather and the flu bug haven’t made it too difficult a start to 2009 for you!
However difficult the beginning of 2009 might be in the UK, our thoughts turn to those in Palestine. We will continue to work with our colleagues in Palestine and in Israel through our sister unions. I know that we would all hope for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
I was surprised to see Ofsted’s recent comments on the quality of teaching. It is a strange attack to make, given that their own reports show very clearly that the standard of teaching is the best it has ever been. Such comments are entirely unhelpful – particularly as teachers currently have to cope with more pressures than ever from the endless stream of Government initiatives and inspections.
In 2009 the NUT will continue to work to eliminate some of the unreasonable demands that are made upon teachers and to improve both children’s education and teachers’ working lives.
We will work with other teaching unions as much as possible, keeping our campaign for Professional Unity in the profession in the forefront.
Whilst separate unions remain, however, recruitment to the NUT must be our top priority. Please ask every member to be an advocate for the NUT in the workplace – and to ask their colleagues to join us.
I look forward to us all working together in 2009 on the issues that matter to teachers:
• An end to excessive workload
• Fair pay
• A safe working environment
• A genuinely comprehensive education system
• Professional respect and status for teachers
• Achievement of the Millenium Development Goals to see all children globally with access to education
I wish you all the very best for the coming weeks.

Christine Blower
NUT Acting General Secretary
6 January 2009