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Focuses on the proliferation of lawsuits against teachers in England. Number of cases dealt with by the National Union of Teachers involving child abuse by teachers; Percentage of cases where the accused teacher is automatically suspended; Difficulties of the vindicated teacher in returning to the classroom.

Focuses on the plans of the British government to solve the problems facing schools in London, England, by appointing an education commissioner or tsar. Tsar's responsibility across the boroughs for tackling various education-related issues; Efforts to improve schools in the city; Unions' response to the government's plan. INSET: CAPITAL FACTS, by Amanda Kelly..

The article reports that staff at All Hallows Catholic high school in Cheshire are praising the negative review the received under the new school rating system. All Hallows has always performed above average, but the new value-added system, which judges schools not on numbers alone but on the status of their students, found that All Hallows' high achievers could be doing better.

The article focuses on the plight of mainstream teachers with introduction of inclusive teaching. The teachers have to do more work for which they are not even properly trained including, changing of nappies and cleaning out tracheotomy. This situation is created because of paucity of resources and support for special needs students. Many teachers believe that their job is more like nursing than education. According to the study carried out by Cambridge university academics teachers can also face legal action if anything goes wrong with the student.

The article reports on National Union Teachers' (NUT) conferences concerning the misbehaving and violence in the classrooms. The teachers' union will propose that the Government should take effective measures to enhance the teachers training program and to minimize the violence and misbehavior in the classrooms. The teachers' delegates presented a survey report in the NUT conference which revealed that students' behavior was their main issue. The National Union of Teachers conference which is scheduled to take place on Friday in Torquay will discuss the role of government in addressing the issue of violence in classrooms.

The article presents information on the amount of compensation paid to the teachers in Great Britain as a result of accident claims, employment disputes and assaults. Three largest teachers' unions are expected to reveal the figures for each teachers in state schools in an upcoming conference. The figures reflects the success of legal actions by the teachers but it also raises concerns over health and safety issues in schools. INSET: Long wait for justice.

The article comments on the role of unions in damaging the profession of education. Experts say that the portrayal of school life has always damaged the profession rather than criticising the under performing schools and incompetent teachers. It also presents the comments made by Chris Woodhead, former chief inspector, on the loss of public support and sympathy by the teachers owing to the demonstrations shown by several teachers' unions against government policies. It also presents information on several conferences on the topic scheduled to be held in Great Britain during 2006.

The article discusses the results of the inspection conducted by Ofsted on the 16 academies in Great Britain. The London academy was praised by the inspectors for the exceptionally good progress of its students. Other academies that are judged good include King's academy, City academy, and Walsall academy. However, West London academy was criticized for providing an inadequate education for secondary-age pupils.

The article presents information on the findings of a survey of secondary schools which provides the first independent assessment of the impact of teaching and learning responsibility payments in schools in Great Britain. The survey was conducted by The Times Educational Supplement. One of the most important findings of the survey was that the most secondary schools have avoided radical reforms in the shake-up of senior staff salaries. It was also found that the majority of heads of schools have been anxious to avoid classroom unrest.

The article reports that the National Union of Teachers (NUT) believes that it is winning the argument with heads over the introduction of teaching and learning responsibility payments and this negotiation is resolving many of the disputes. These proposed staffing changes could lead to salary cuts of up to £10,500 per year. According to John Dixon, NUT assistant secretary, the union was hopeful that it could protect members from salary cuts of up to £10,500 with fewer strikes than expected.

The article reports on the resistance of science teachers to changes to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) courses. The changes are expected to enhance the popularity of subjects. The core curriculum of the GCSE courses will be streamlined and students would be required to take up one or more of optional subjects including vocational science, advanced science and individual science. The new course will take up some topics in detail, focus on experimental work and encourage students to debate on controversial issues.

The article reports that School Teachers' Review Body has rejected the request of headteachers' union for a bigger increase in salaries in order to make leadership posts more attractive to experienced teachers. On the otherhand, British Department of Education Secretary Ruth Kelly agreed to the review body's recommendation for an inquiry into the changing the role of leadership.

The article reports on the National Union of Teachers (NUT), National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers Community (NASUWT), and Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), which have 120,000 fee-paying members that offer insurances and legal services when injured at work. NUT is the only organization with regional offices in every area. NASUWT has overtaken the NUT in Wales, and some part in England. ATL helps teachers unwilling to become involved in industrial action. INSET: Scotland and Wales.

The article focuses on the report prepared by the Department for Education and Skills titled “Higher Standards: Better Schools for All that would allow private businesses and churches to control most of the schools away from the authority in Great Britain. The Prime Minister appreciated the plan, citing that it would initiate radical transformation of education. However, teachers' union commented that the proposed plan would commercialize the education system of the country.

Reports the educational plans of the British government from 2004 to 2008. Development of academies; Freedom for foundation schools; Transformation of secondary schools into specialist colleges; Ring-fence education funding to allow schools three-year budgets.

Reports that schools will get as little as 48 hours notice that they are to be inspected as part of a radical overhaul of the inspection regime in Great Britain. Change of frequency of visits from inspectors.

Reports on the observation made by British chief inspector, David Bell, that pressure on primaries to improve literacy and numeracy is producing a two-tier curriculum. Focus of Bell's annual report on the widening gap between standards in English, maths and science and pupils' achievements in other subjects; Concern over the lack of improvement in English in key stage 2 test scores.

Reports on the failure of a new teachers' workload agreement with the British government to deliver a better quality of work life for teachers in the country. Indications that many teachers are spending more time working at home than they were before the introduction of the agreement; Majority of primary school teachers who get no planning, preparation and assessment. INSET: Still doing their own filing..

Reports on the workload agreement aimed at reducing teachers' workload in Great Britain. Implementation of the work agreement in 2003; Transfer of clerical and administrative tasks from teachers to support staff as part of the agreement signed in January 2003 by the British government, employers and all the major unions except the National Union of Teachers.

Reports on efforts to reduce the workload of teachers in England and Wales. Transfer of teachers' administrative tasks to support staff; Expected success of the first stage of the workload agreement.

Focuses on the controversy over the education funding system in Great Britain. Allocation of the fiscal 2003 education budget; Complaints over the budget of central administration; Comparative increase in the budget of the Department for Education and Skills and Local Education Authority.

Reports on the efforts of the City Council members to challenge Education Secretary Charles Clarke's issues on funding crisis in Great Britain. Budget allocated for education; Accusation towards the Council regarding the failure to pass appropriate amount funds or education; Plans of the council to justify the allegations against them.

Reports on the funding crisis for education in Great Britain. Increase in education spending; Efforts of the government in creating a national funding system; Financial programs initiated by Education Secretary Charles Clarke for educational funds.

Reports that a Roman Catholic school has acted illegally when it refused a boy with a skin condition the right to wear non-uniform trousers according to disability rights campaigners in Great Britain. Details of the claim of Disability Rights Commission; Submission of the claim to a tribunal; Extension of Disability Discrimination Act to schools.

Reports on the disappointment of teacher trade-unions over the inflation-only pay award. Failure of national bargaining agreements; Proposals from a wage review panel.

Focuses on the business relationship between the schools and business enterprises in Great Britain. Reliance of the institution on corporate cash; Launch of marketing campaign; Assessment of the educational reasons for the policy.

Focuses on Gordon Brown's proposed education spending in Great Britain. Results of the comprehensive spending review; Details of the education spending proposal; Examination of whether the budget increase for education can make a difference.

Focuses on the government regulations imposed on education in Great Britain. Effects of the legislation of the Education Bill on the autonomy of schools; Criteria for autonomy extended to schools; Failure of the proposal to address professional freedom of teachers.

Highlights the American Educational Research Association conference in relation to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Parade for recognition of emergency services during the tragedy; Session on the importance of education to terrorism; Encouragement from Gloria Billings speech on the implication of the tragedy to children.

Comments on the issues concerning the shortage and more workload of teachers in Great Britain. Major reason for the resignation of teachers; Plans of education secretary Estelle Morris to restructure the school system; Role of teaching assistants in the classroom.

Reports that in the United Kingdom, children living in local authority homes are still ending up at the bottom of the education heap in academic achievement. How officials admit that the figures show that the outlook for those in care remains appalling; An investigation launched by the Prime Minister's Social Exclusion Unit in the summer of 2001 into what more can be done to solve the problem.

Analyzes the factors contributing to the dominance of Finland and Korea in a study on education league tables published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Homogeneity of the pupils; Importance given to reading; Retention of the policies responsible for being at the top of the international education league.

Details findings of the survey, titled `Knowledge and Skills for Life' compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which showed that Great Britain top the international league table. Ratings of Great Britain on maths, reading and science; Comments of Education Secretary Estelle Morris on the significance of the survey's results on the country's education system; Negative impact of teacher shortages on students' performance.

Examines the necessity of inclusion of special needs of students in Langdon school in Newham, east London. Integration of inclusion to students; Key from fear of inclusion; Forecast of the schools for government support; Allocation of budget for improvement of access to mainstream.

Reports on the debate on comparisons of faith schools to secular community schools in Great Britain. Claim by Church of England's education officer John Hall that faith schools outperform secular schools; Comparison between faith school Saint Christopher's and secular school Moorhead High; Arguments against the call for an increase in the number of faith schools. INSETS: ST CHRISTOPHER'S CE, by Julie Henry.;MOORHEAD HIGH, by Julie Henry..

Analyzes the impact of devolution in education in Great Britain. Use of England's slipstream method as models by other countries in Britain; Introduction of league tables in Wales and Northern Ireland; Limitation in the extent to which Scotland could pursue a different agenda. INSET: TEACHING JOBS WORLDS APART..

Reports on the efforts of the British government to recruit more teachers to solve the shortage crisis. Education Secretary Estelle Morris' campaign principle for recruiting teachers; Benefits offered to teachers; Training given to teachers to improve the teaching standards in the country. INSETS: TRAINING AT THE SHARP END, by Lisa Hutchins.;FIVE ROUTES..

Reports on the implication of the advent of AS-level examinations for teachers and pupils in England. Incapability of schools to accommodate the examinees; Stress suffered by students from the increased workload; Cost of implementing the tests.

Focuses on the initiative of the Labour government in Great Britain to finance school maintenance. Belief in harnessing the private sector to improve schools; Chosen method of attracting private cash; Spending record of Labour on school buildings. INSET: DOING IT THE PFI WAY, by Jon Slater..

Reports on the achievements of the Labour government in Great Britain in the education sector. Development of nursery places for four year-olds; Reduction in class size for five, six and seven year-olds; Assessment of every child entering primary school; Introduction of qualification for headteachers.

Reports on the improvement in the test scores of primary students in Great Britain following the implementation of the government's literacy and numeracy programs. Education Secretary David Blunkett's pledge to resign his position should primary students fail to reach the projected score improvement; Criticisms against the government's claim that the country's education system has improved.

Reports that British ministers are questioning the prospects of education action zones which were perceived as the hope for success in deprived areas. Absence of businesses in some areas willing to invest in education; Lack of publicity about the program in some areas which could make investments worthwhile for a company; Failure of government effort to stress the opportunities for business involvement in zones.

Questions whether the British government can overcome the nation's prejudice against work-related learning. Government's efforts that vocational GCSEs will inspire less academic pupils to match the skills of their peers abroad; Education Secretary David Blunkett's commitment to vocational education.

Reports on the efforts of the British government to persuade retired teachers to return to work. Effect of teacher shortage on the students; Recruitment of teachers from Australia and New Zealand; Pension arrangements for retirees interested to return. INSET: GOING BACK, by Jon Slater..

Focuses on a group of teachers' assessment of educational policies of Great Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair. Support for ministers' attempts to raise standards; Concerns raised over their methods; Major problems facing education; Best remedy for low morale and recruitment. INSETS: The teachers' manifesto.;Election 2001..

Presents survey results on the attitude of teachers toward their profession despite pressure from politicians in Great Britain. Fraction of respondents satisfied with teaching; Percentage of teachers unhappy in their work; Support for the complaints of union leaders; Ratio of teachers saying lack of improvement in the profession's status.

Discusses how undergraduates in Great Britain discover their national identity by studying in universities in Ireland. Use of free tuition fees to attract students; Concerns on whether employers in Great Britain will hire students from universities abroad.

Focuses on British undergraduates who opted to study in universities abroad to avoid paying fees. Impact of globalization on higher education; Competition among top universities in a relatively small but growing market for mobile students.