Is our comprehensive education system working?
Is our comprehensive education system working?
Not according to the former director-general of schools, Ralph Tabberer. He's criticising parents for failing to teach children to value education and to encourage competitiveness. He thinks the future of education can only be assured by the increased involvement of the private sector.
But both the National Union of Teachers and Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and the disagree.
You can have a listen to Nicky's interview with Ed Balls from this morning's show - click below:
What do you think? Call us free on 0500 909 693, text 85058, or you can leave your comment here on the blog.
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Comments
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John Bangs on the phone-in now is one of the reasons why education is in the mess it is in now. Denial of the problems parents are ringing up abut now isn't going to convince anyone.
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I am generally happy with our education system and particularly the move to incorporate vocational training with btech and diplomas. What does concern me is the use of GCSE equivalents to boost exam results and make it appear that standards are improving.
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During a conversation with an Asian neighbour, he told me that he was sending his teenage daughter back to India to finish her education.
I asked if she was going to learn about her Culture. His reply surprised me, he said that she was going to learn "proper English". He went on to explain that the Education System in India had been set up by the British and they still taught Oxford English.
What does this say about our schools?
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cleverelliejo maybe you could ask your asian neighbour why the english and british born indians decided to boo the host country at the home of cricket by 3rd genaration indian fans which i thought showed a lack of dignity and respect for us surely you would think there parents would teach them to respect our country they are liveing in if they dont like it here they should go back to india im all for people comeing here and liveing side by side but the unsporting behaviour by the sore indian losers left a bad taste in my mouth and shouold feel embarassed by there disgusting behaviour
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I couldnt believe what I was hearing this morning from ed ball on education, that he wanted stop having elitist education system by Penalising children who live in wrong post code or posh areas and by falsely letting stupid kids believe they smart- my child was 2 years ahead at local school in math and English because of labour policy on Education he was held back now he just average now I know why they hasnt been a big celebration for 60th anniversary of George Orwell 1984 book labour been using that book as a blue print in my view ed balls should lose his job over what he said
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What critics of the comprehensive system of education don't consider is that selective systems are wholly reliant on a sound market economy working effectively.
The UK economy is debt-ridden and not a sound market economy and one of the reasons why the comprehensive system of education was introduced in the Barbara Castle era was not simply to attain greater fairness and equality in schools, but because it acted as a buffer against a failed market ideology.
For this reason the comprehensive system of education therefore needs protecting with the same will and determination as say, the West Bromwich building society was saved again by taxpayers last week!
Incidentally, that lady who your producer put on air simply to say she thought the comprehensive system was inefficient because the kids in class were allowed to use mobile phones might consider that this is simply a disciplinary problem and nothing to do with educational standards.
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