LONDON—Teachers in England just got the green light to use artificial intelligence for grading homework, drafting parent letters, and other routine tasks—a move the government claims will ease burnout in an overworked, underfunded education system. But critics say the real problem isn’t a lack of tech—it’s a lack of investment.
AI as a Band-Aid for a Broken System
New guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) encourages schools to adopt AI for “low-stakes” tasks like lesson planning, marking assignments, and administrative work. The goal? Reduce unpaid overtime and improve teacher well-being.
But while AI might streamline some paperwork, it won’t fix England’s chronic teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, or decade-long funding cuts.
Teachers Are Burned Out and Leaving
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36% of teachers report experiencing burnout, according to Education Support.
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Attrition rates hover near 9%, with secondary schools struggling to fill vacancies.
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Class sizes are ballooning—over a million UK pupils sit in classes of 30 or more.
The DfE insists AI can help. A 2023 survey found most teachers optimistic about the tech, with some already using it to draft reports or find teaching materials.
“It’s normal now for math teachers to not mark homework manually,” one survey respondent said. “We’re so short-staffed, no one complains.”
AI Won’t Solve the Funding Crisis
Despite the government’s enthusiasm, unions warn AI is no substitute for real investment.
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School spending per pupil dropped 9% in real terms from 2009-2022 (Institute for Fiscal Studies).
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Capital spending on schools fell 29% after inflation (NAHT).
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Many schools rely on expensive supply teachers because they can’t hire permanent staff.
Even Ofsted—England’s school watchdog—now allows AI in curriculum reviews, despite union objections.
The Bottom Line
AI might save teachers time, but it’s a stopgap, not a solution. Without more funding, smaller classes, and better pay, England’s education system will keep struggling—no matter how smart the tech gets.
“Subscriptions to AI cost pennies,” one critic noted. “Properly funding schools costs billions. Guess which one the government prefers?”
