Despite a countrywide personnel crisis, schools facing a £100,000 increase in their energy costs may be compelled to fire teachers and leave open positions unfilled, a worried headteacher has warned.
According to reports, several institutions have implemented hiring freezes, which has put a strain on the responsibilities of the existing employees.
The nation is preparing for a painful 80% increase in energy prices starting in October, which will impact families, companies, and institutions like schools.
Without immediate assistance from the government, many schools would suffer, according to Mike Walters, the head of the Kent Headteachers Association.
St. Anselm’s Catholic School in Canterbury, Kent, headmaster Mr. Walters said: “Frankly, I believe schools will have to make perhaps more difficult judgments than that.”
One would like to assume that we won’t reach the stage when schools will need to reorganise and lay off staff.
“Neither the governing board nor the head instructor ever wish to do it.”
However, I believe that for the time being, some institutions will operate with open positions rather than hire new employees to fill them, and that more drastic measures may be required.
“Given the kind of [energy bill] rise we’re looking at—between 100% and 150%—that is definitely going to be an increase in the region of £100,000, a pretty major development.”
He worries that the crisis may prevent students from receiving the aid they need in the classroom.
If a teaching assistant leaves and is not replaced, he said, that will have an effect.
So yes, I believe a compromise will be made, but it won’t be for the better.
The head of Oasis Academies, Steve Chalke, stated last week that teachers might be asked to lower the temperature in order to save money during the winter months. However, he added that completely turning off the heating is not an option.
“Whatever happens, the heating in the schools must remain on.” He reportedly told the Sun, “We can’t let students freeze. We might be able to lower the temperature by one or two degrees and ask everyone to wear sweaters.
Although many of our students come from low socioeconomic status groups, schools may ask students to bring in jumpers. Consequently, we will need to supply the jumpers.
Following Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi’s warning that millions of British households would struggle to keep up with rising living expenses, the news was released.
The price increase will cause the average household’s annual bill to increase from £1,971 to £3,549.
Energy costs could increase by 80% for a senior teacher making £45,000 annually, with future price increases expected.
Up until at least 2024, energy prices are predicted to remain very high.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research predicts that the price spike would raise inflation to 14.2% by January.
As a result of the increase, some of the UK’s poorest families would now spend 25% of their income only on energy costs.