picture of Rob Hattersley

A culture of pressure

Published by Rob Hattersley on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am

ARTICLE TOOLS

Next

Previous

Who can disagree with the idea that schools should do more of everything in the same amount of time - more culture, more sport, more topics, more writing, more reading, and yet it’s the Maths that doesn’t add up (Lessons in Culture for every Child (13.02.08)). It seems every Education Secretary comes in and needs to re-invent the wheel because their predecessor couldn’t quite work out how it went round. Interestingly, the wheel wasn’t invented by a government department with time on it’s hands but some guy who had the time and inclination to think. It’s thinking time that schools and children have very little of.

On the face of it each new government schools initiative is hard to argue with and no-one would suggest Ed Balls has anything other than the best of intentions. But without telling schools what they should cut out, this is getting ridiculous. There are a limited number of hours in the school day. Schools are still under pressure to deliver a one-size-fits-all academic curriculum because the government doesn’t have the courage to tell parents (read “voters”) that children have different abilities, that some kids will master only the basic 3Rs but offer practical and problem solving skills of crucial importance to the UK’s future and live satisfying lives into the bargain.

Stop meddling. Free teachers and schools. Slim down the curriculum and allow local choice and control. Some boxes may not be ticked, but you will unleash a wave of creativity, energy and enjoyment (remember that?) in both teachers and children. That’s the culture we need.

Jim Hacker, none-time UK Prime Minister, once proposed abolishing the then Department of Education. “Abolish Education and Science?”, a horrified Sir Humphrey responded? “Not education and science, just the department,” replied the PM.

It seems some people still cannot see how things can get better without government departments interfering. But empowering people, and a corresponding reduction in the power of the state, is the only way things can improve. Now that would take some Balls.