Teaching job cuts in Essex are the second highest in the country because of a national funding cash crisis.

A survey by the Department for Education and Skills and National Union of Teachers has revealed 43 full-time jobs will be axed to cut costs, more than any other county except Norfolk.

Jerry Glazier, general secretary of Essex and Southend National Union of Teachers, said standards of education for Essex children may suffer.

He said: "I fear the real number may be much higher than this as many schools will not replace staff who resign.

"Many schools in Essex, particularly schools in deprived urban areas in Southend and Basildon, spend 90 per cent of their budget on staffing and recruitment. These schools will be worst hit by the underfunding and the teaching of students could suffer."

Published Thursday, June 5, 2003

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