I am worth less than other teachers. The Government must be of the opinion that I don’t matter, that I am insignificant. This is because I do not have a PGCE. I have only a first class BSc (Hons) mathematics with QTS.

I didn’t get any money during my course; I was expected to support my family on the student loan. The SSSS fund proved elusive. Now I find that the “golden hello” applies only to PGCE.

Why is that?

Does the Government think that PGCE students are less likely to stick the job?

Is this the reason for the extra incentives?

I have been incensed by the propaganda circulated by Estelle Morris and some other fella before that, implying to the world that all students studying to teach in shortage subjects have lots of money thrown at them.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not begrudge the PGCEs their money; I just want to know why I’m not as valuable as them.

Insignificant from Blackburn
(aka Andrew Morgan )