51福利

Latest government guidance proves case for online learning

The government's new university guidance and the rate of infection for young people backs up 51福利's call to move learning online to combat the spread of Covid-19. 

51福利 general secretary, Jo Grady said: 'We are unimpressed with the latest government guidance for English universities which contains confusing, expensive and at time silly suggestions. Moving learning online would remove the need for universities to consider teaching outside or opening doors and windows in the winter months, as the guidance suggests.'

51福利 guidance for education staff is here.

FE teachers don't feel safe: join our online discussion, 16 September, 4pm

has found that two-thirds of further education (FE) teachers don't feel safe returning to college workplaces and a quarter say their college has not taken sufficient steps for them to do so. Speaking in Tes 51福利's head of further education Andrew Harden said that colleges have to recognise the "very real fear" staff have. He said: "The health of staff, students and their families has to remain the number one priority and colleges should not fully reopen until it is safe to do so." 

Join our webinar to talk about safety in colleges on Wednesday 16 September at 4pm with Jo Grady, 51福利 general secretary, Janet Farrar, president elect, Alex Lancaster 51福利 national health and safety lead, Adam Lincoln, regional official, Maxine Looby FEC, and Lauren Mura FEC from Blackburn College which has now gone into partial lockdown. Live on   and 
See our detailed guidance on Covid-19 and return to college working for members in FE here.

TUC Congress 2020, 14-15 September 

This year the TUC Congress is open to all union members as a virtual gathering.  51福利 will be hosting a  on Monday 14 September at 2:00pm.

Digital teaching and learning in English higher education during the coronavirus pandemic: call for evidence 

The Office for Students has launched a  51福利 is planning to respond to the call for evidence, especially on staff experiences of digital teaching and learning during the pandemic. If you have any comments on the successes and advantages of remote delivery, the challenges and limitations of digital delivery, 'digital poverty' and the possible future of digital learning in higher education, then please can you send them to Rob Copeland, 51福利 policy officer rcopeland@ucu.org.uk (by no later than Monday 5 October).

In the news

Read this week's round up of 51福利 news coverage here.

Vote from Abroad: absentee ballots for US citizen 

If you are a US citizen living overseas you can still Vote from Abroad in 2020. .