Yesterday's men, tomorrow's problem

I have been absolutely astonished at the space the educational press has devoted to Natfhe's internal debates regarding the long-running further education new contracts' dispute. I have been even more astonished that yesterday's men have been used to illustrate Natfhe's current strategy. Peter Latham and Tom Jolliffe share the distinction of having resigned as chair of the national executive committee's further education industrial relations committee and its associated role as chair of the lecturers and senior lecturers national negotiating committee. They are however not resigned to accepting the majority view.

As the new chair of the above committees, I have no problem with this. Natfhe will continue to debate heatedly the tactics and strategy of winning the dispute. What we shall not be debating are the fundamental principles that we have all held since the appearance of the Colleges Employers Forum's new model contract nearly three years ago.

Colleges may have become businesses, but teachers are still teachers and students still need to be taught. The skill of teaching involves careful preparation, planned assessment and that element that motivates and sometimes inspires the learner.

Breaking point has been reached yet the screw continues to be tightened in a desperate attempt to live up to the glossy brochure image pinned on the sector. The iniquitous funding methodology is the real enemy. Contracts brought in to deal with shortfalls of funding and that do not recognise the essence of teaching will not cure all ills; they will lead to a marked deterioration in service which will lead to a far more serious crisis.

We have a long way to go to convince our employers. The THES (March 17) has CEF board member Keith Scribbins proclaiming that the issue of class-contact hours is a dead issue and that teachers do many things more valuable than standing up in front of a class teaching. All we lecturers can do is shake our heads sadly at the ignorance of such statements. However our divisions are overshadowed by what unites us - our concern for and commitment to a quality FE service.

Jeannette Nelson

Chair, Natfhe Further Education

Industrial Relations Committee