On Tuesday 18th March Alex Cunningham, Mp for Stockton North, has been granted a 90 minute Westminster Hall debate on ‘the value of Teaching Assistants’. This will take place from 9.30 – 11am.

 

 

 

 

 

Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament

According to Mark D’Arcy, the BBC Parliamentary correspondent, this debate is aimed at ‘dispelling the attitude that they are a high cost and low return intervention in education. Instead, Mr Cunningham will argue that Teaching Assistants have huge potential to improve and enrich educational outcomes, but are currently undervalued, underpaid, and their contributions largely unrecognised’ (D’Arcy, 2014, lines 67-74).

It would be interesting to find out if this will be broadcast or if a transcript will be made of the proceedings – it is a debate of interest to us all. Do you know what your MP thinks about Teaching Assistants? Perhaps it would be worth finding out.

Reference:

D’Arcy, M. (2014) Week Ahead in Westminster. [online] Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26586117 [Accessed: 15/3/14]