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Education, Education, Education

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    Education, Education, Education

    Blair defends education reforms

    The prime minister insists reforms will benefit working class children
    Tony Blair has launched a robust defence of the government's plans to shake up schools in England, saying he is "restless for change".
    He said the reforms would help poor children reach their potential.

    His key speech - in Sedgefield - comes amid warnings of a possible rebellion by up to 100 backbenchers when the plans come to the Commons next year.

    He wants schools to take on greater powers over their finances, staff and - most controversially - admissions.

    The Prime Minister said the creation of what will be known as "trust schools" was vital to Britain's economic success and to social justice.

    He would not rest until the government had done all it could to improve the situation of children from poorer backgrounds who were under-achieving.

    "While there remains schools - hundreds of them - where fewer than half of children get the results they need at 16 - I cannot rest and will not until we do all in our power to change that failure," he said.

    Improvements

    Opponents fear the plans would allow schools to return to selecting pupils based on academic ability.

    But Mr Blair said trust schools would have to abide by existing rules on fair admissions.

    He appealed to traditional Labour values in his defence of the plans, emphasising the improvements to literacy, numeracy and to GCSE and A-level results since 1997.

    Education is the spark that can light a love of learning - horizons broaden, imaginations are fired, confidence and ambition take root

    The reforms that helped bring about the improvements, including specialist schools and academies, had not been brought in without difficulty either he said.

    As well as fears about academic selection, there are also concerns that trust schools will create an educational hierarchy, with the best schools creaming off the best pupils while others are left with those no one wants.

    Critics say the middle classes will benefit most and elected local education authorities will lose their power.

    'Daunting task'

    Mr Blair said the plans would benefit working class children, who had traditionally suffered most in the education system.

    "The plans will ensure that the choices now exercised by the fortunate and well-off can be given to all parents," he said.

    "Education and knowledge is the only root to prosperity.

    "For a young kid in the inner city of London or Manchester or Newcastle and a young child growing up in the old pit villages and mining communities of County Durham education is the liberator. It's the gateway. It's the only thing that can transform their lives".


    His critics argue that allowing schools the freedom to run their own admissions policy will inevitably lead to selection and are calling on Mr Blair to leave responsibility for admissions with local councils.

    The speech was Mr Blair's first since the government's commons defeat on anti-terrorism legislation, which led to claims his authority had diminished.

    Political correspondents estimate as many as 100 backbenchers might rebel over the schools measures unless changes are made.

    Tony Blair is a twonk

    #2
    No need for the cut and paste. Just post the last sentance
    "Being nice costs nothing and sometimes gets you extra bacon" - Pondlife.

    Comment


      #3
      I dont understand what is wrong with selection?

      I was a working class child who went to primary school on a run down council estate.
      Because of selection and the fact I passed the entrance exam I went to the local Grammar School, a chance I would not have had under Tonies grand plan.

      I am not a great believer in giving the same education to all, some are more academically inclined than others. A system that gives the best to each according to their ability would be better than an average for all.
      I am not qualified to give the above advice!

      The original point and click interface by
      Smith and Wesson.

      Step back, have a think and adjust my own own attitude from time to time

      Comment


        #4
        School

        I think what's needed at schools is a bit of f***ing discipline.

        Comment


          #5
          Frankly I don't care what Blair had for breakfast or what he was thinking the last time he took a dump!
          It's the frigging Civil Servants that run this place..the elected git's are just Figure Heads....who's actually making the decisions?!!??!?!??!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Phoenix
            Frankly I don't care what Blair had for breakfast or what he was thinking the last time he took a dump!
            It's the frigging Civil Servants that run this place..the elected git's are just Figure Heads....who's actually making the decisions?!!??!?!??!
            and I bet they have been down the pub as well hic....hic...
            SA says;
            Well you looked so stylish I thought you batted for the other camp - thats like the ultimate compliment!

            I couldn't imagine you ever having a hair out of place!

            n5gooner is awarded +5 Xeno Geek Points.
            (whatever these are)

            Comment


              #7
              Do they still do biology at school nowadays then?

              Originally posted by zeitghost
              Yes.

              Bring back the cat, the cane is too soft for 'em.
              Or is this a sex-education option?
              Why not?

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Phoenix
                Frankly I don't care what Blair had for breakfast or what he was thinking the last time he took a dump!
                It's the frigging Civil Servants that run this place..the elected git's are just Figure Heads....who's actually making the decisions?!!??!?!??!
                well, according to Jim Hacker......

                Jim Hacker: "Don't tell me about the press. I know exactly who reads the papers:

                - The Daily Mirror is read by people who think they run the country;

                - The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country;

                - The Times is read by people who actually do run the country;

                - The Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country;

                - The Financial Times is read by people who own the country;

                - The Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country;

                - And the Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is."

                Sir Humphrey: "Prime Minister, what about the people who read the Sun ?"

                Bernard Woolley: "Sun readers don't care who runs the country, as long as she's got big tits."

                I'm with Bernard on this one
                "Being nice costs nothing and sometimes gets you extra bacon" - Pondlife.

                Comment


                  #9
                  If only that were true!

                  Comment

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