Councillor Joe Dromey visited Lewisham College on the morning of 17 October to meet Deputy Principal David White during Colleges Week and was happy to get involved with the Association of College’s Love our Colleges Campaign.
The Love Our Colleges campaign is an opportunity to highlight the brilliant work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible. It is also our opportunity to call on government for better investment in colleges, and fair pay for college staff.
As a key part of the #LoveOurColleges week of activities, there will be a coordinated day of lobbying today (Wednesday 17 October). This will include extensive lobbying in parliament from college principals, staff and students, with the education unions organising a march and rally to further amplify the key message.
Why is Colleges Week important?
Over the last decade, colleges have had to deal with an average 30% funding cut, whilst costs have increased dramatically. This has resulted in a drastic drop in learning opportunities for adults, fewer hours of teaching and support for young people, and teacher pay at less than 80% of schools and support staff seeing no increase in pay for several years. This situation is not sustainable and ultimately impacts upon students, businesses, communities and the wider economy.