Equipped To Learn? Why Teachers Are Having To Foot Some Of The Bill

Most people appreciate the huge contribution that teachers make in educating the youth of today, but a recent report by the stationery supplier Staples has found that they’re also having to reach into their own pockets to provide pupils with essential equipment.

The survey, in which 519 teachers from primary and secondary schools were interviewed, found that 63% of participants felt obliged to spend their own money to ensure that the pupils in their classes had everything they needed for effective learning.

While 83% of secondary level students were reported to be more likely to lack the necessary equipment than primary-age children, 71% of whom were reported to need help, it was the teachers of the younger children who tended to spend more of their own money.

When questioned about the actual amounts of money they had to spend, over 36% of teachers whose pupils were aged 7-8 said they would typically part with around £80 per term of their own money. For teachers of 15-16 year olds, it was between £21 and £30.

The survey also delved into the possible reasons for this state of affairs and found that many teachers believed that parents’ lack of engagement with their children’s education lay behind it – 46% felt that parents took a passive role while only 23% thought they were fully engaged. 30 of the teachers who took part even believed that parents felt it was the school’s responsibility to provide all the necessary equipment. That’s not to say that interviewees weren’t aware of the many other financial pressures that parents may be under with over half believing that the expectations are too high that they should finance all of their child’s equipment needs.

As to the consequences of coming to school without all the right equipment, opinions were divided. 39% felt that it would only have a short-term effect, namely just for that particular lesson while 37.8% believed that this was something that would hinder a pupil’s progress in the future.

The report also looked into possible solutions which could help resolve the situation. 223 teachers believed that if parents were encouraged to play a more active part in their child’s education it would be a big help. But even more – 239 – felt that more responsibility should be placed on pupils to ensure that they’re properly equipped.

By working together and sharing some of the burden between parents and children the issue of having the right school supplies can start to be addressed. And that’s going to be good news all round, not least for the teachers’ bank accounts.