Teacher Talk: 'We're being fobbed off by the Government'

Jacqui Johnson, 54, is a former president of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education.

She is currently head of art and design, media and performing arts at Bracknell and Wokingham College, Berkshire

Were you one of the FE lecturers involved in the recent pay strike?

Yes. We're being fobbed off by the Government over our claim for parity with school teachers. Ministers offered parity by 2004 and then said they "are going to be moving towards it by 2004". We can't get a minister to stick to pledges, as they keep leaving.

Are many of your colleagues switching from FE to become school teachers?

A number. Some of my contacts have moved to sixth-form colleges. It may not be about money – they might be dissatisfied with how FE is run. Other colleagues are moving into areas such as the Learning and Skills Council – that's clearly about money. It's sad because good teachers are lost.

What do you think of this Government's handling of FE?

Our criticism is that although they say they've put money in education, core funding has dropped. Money's gone on standards initiatives that are hard to understand and often don't last longer than a year. We ask our bosses to use money for pay, and are told it's ring-fenced for something else. There has been a pay initiative, but it's organised so that in some colleges a worryingly limited number of people benefit. The Government has criticised FE colleges over cases of mismanagement, but it presides over a system that gives power without accountability. Lecturers who've worked hard for students shouldn't suffer because of college mismanagement anyway.

Do you teach any of the 14 to 16-year-olds being encouraged to take vocational courses at FE colleges?

No, but my college has about 50 of them. Colleges have always had some course links with schools, but our increased role means we're concerned about the responsibilities of teaching young students. We're worried about becoming dumping grounds for disaffected pupils – it's not fair on them or us. We need staff development and training. The pastoral role of colleges isn't taken into account in analysing academic results.

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