Teachers say they are increasingly dipping into their own pocket to provide basic classroom resources and essentials for pupils, a union survey has found.
Nearly half of the 4,386 teachers surveyed by NASUWT said they spent their own money on buying basic necessities in the last year.
Three-quarters said they bought food, 29 per cent toiletries, and a quarter clothing or shoes.
Nearly half of those teachers said the amount they are buying has also increased.
Meanwhile, one in five teachers said they buy lesson resources with their own cash once a week; more than one in ten dip into their own funds for resources several times a week.
Two-thirds of teachers say they have bought paper or stationery for their classroom, with over two-fifths buying textbooks or reading books.
The majority of these teachers said this was because of funding cuts.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Evidence shows that many teachers are facing financial hardship themselves as a result of year on year pay cuts, and yet faced with increasing child poverty some are shouldering further financial burdens to support their pupils.
“Teachers once again are being left to pick up the pieces of failed education, social and economic policies.”
But children’s minister Nadhim Zahawi said “there is more money going into our schools than ever before”.
“The Secretary of State has made clear that, as we approach the next spending review, he will back head teachers to have the resources they need to deliver a world class education.”
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