In an editorial a few months ago you rightly
pinpointed Labour`s main mistake, in that it wastes too much time trying to show
the government how to "do the wrong policy better", rather than explaining why
"it`s wrong in the first place". (Perils of gut instinct,16/07/13) Yet in
today`s leader you describe Tristram Hunt`s "acceptance of the essentials" of
Gove`s free schools project "a good call"! (Labour`s hunt for answers, 15/10/13)
You may be nearer the truth with your observation that free schools have
"captured the political agenda out of all proportion to their influence", but
that has undoubtedly been caused by the media`s tendency to concentrate on the
educational needs of the middle class, compared with the relatively
small attention it pays to the damaging effects of Gove`s curriculum and
assessment changes on the pupils of more working class origin. Thank goodness
for Peter Wilby, who at least acknowledges the need for Labour to provide "a
clear alternative". (Dear Tristram Hunt ..., 15/10/13) His proposal to withdraw
the charitable status from private schools would benefit the Treasury with the
resulting payment of VAT on school fees, whilst forcing universities to enroll
at least 85% of their intake from state schools seems generous, in view of the
fact that only 7% of our children attend private schools, but dominate our more
highly regarded universities.
Hunt,an historian, will know that there is little
or no evidence to substantiate Gove`s spurious claims about the quality of
education currently being delivered in our state schools, and he needs to be
vociferous in his support for the teaching profession; after the last four
years, it`s the least Labour should be offering them!
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