Zarah ChoudharyThe Government’s plan to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms must be done with the help of school support staff, according to GMB Union.
The AI Opportunities Action Plan, announced today, said Ministers “anticipate that AI will be a useful tool for assessment in the education sector…helping some teachers cut down the 15+ hours a week they spend on lesson planning and marking.”
GMB voiced concerns that school support staff would be left out of conversations around new technology.
A recent survey of GMB’s school support staff members found that only 6% said their employers consult them before new technology is introduced in schools.
Meanwhile, 60% were worried that technological progress might be used to reduce staffing levels during the next five years.
Stacey Booth, national officer at GMB, said: “Many support staff will be worried about what the Government’s plans mean for their work day-to-day.
“GMB members cannot be left out of the conversation.
“Automation is nothing new in education and some of our members already use new technologies in their jobs.
“Well-designed forms of new technology can improve education but there are natural limits and it cannot replace those relied upon to educate our children.
“It is crucial that school support staff are not left absent from the Government’s understanding and ambition.
“They must have a say over any proposals that affect their work; the reinstated School Support Staff Negotiating Body is the place to have that conversation when it is up and running.”
