Queen's Speech - unnecessary education Bill

19 Nov 2009

 The Children, Schools and Families Bill - announced in the Queen's Speech - seems to me an unnecessary bit of legislation.

 Do we really need a law to set out what parents can expect from schools?

 The Education Secretary, Ed Balls, says the Bill will 'ensure every parent is guaranteed to have a good local school'. But he knows he cannot guarantee that.

 The so-called 'pupil guarantees' state that every child 'will go to a school where there is good behaviour, strong discipline, order and safety'. It also guarantees a broad curriculum, regular sport and cultural activities, and schools that promote health and wellbeing.

Al fine aims - but what does the guarantee mean? Can parents ask for a return of their taxes if they are unhappy with local school provision. No, of course not. So how exactly is it a 'guarantee'?

This is just electioneering and it does a government which has made some serious education reforms no credit. 

Post a comment

After posting your comment you will need to confirm it by checking your email and clicking the confirmation that will be sent to you.

Comments will appear once reviewed for appropriate content.