Daniel Kebede elected as NEU general secretary

Daniel Kebede has been elected as the National Education Union’s next general secretary.

He beat Niamh Sweeney, the union’s first elected deputy general secretary, to the top job in an election by members held throughout February and March.

Kebede, a primary school teacher and the union’s former president, will take over from joint leaders Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney in September.

He won 28,636 votes, while Sweeney secured 12,918. Turnout was 9 per cent.

Kebede said he was “honoured” to be the union’s next general secretary.

He said education needed “fundamental change – an end to real terms pay cuts, an end to the massive overwork of staff, the end of Ofsted’s punitive regime and real increases in school funding”.

Bousted and Courtney offered Kebede their “warm congratulations”.

“It is an honour to lead and serve NEU members and we know that Daniel will continue the union’s work to give a voice to the profession and campaign for the world class education system our children deserve. 

“We offer our commiserations to Niamh Sweeney but welcome the fact that, from September, Daniel will be fortunate to work alongside Niamh in her role as our first elected deputy general secretary.”

Sweeney congratulated Kebede on his win and thanked those who had campaigned and voted for her.

“During my campaign I spoke about the importance of democracy across all levels of our union. In my role as deputy general secretary I will continue to work hard to ensure that all members voices are heard and their views represented.

“The National Education Union has an important role in our society. Fighting for our profession and for the education of future generation. I will continue stand up for our profession and our members.”