| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:It's not about party politics | |
| Posted by: | Paul Green | |
| Date/Time: | 24/02/12 09:57:00 |
| We do need to move beyond this tiresome partisan debate, and move towards a genuine evidence based system of education. I am not an expert, beyond having my own children, though my partner is a teacher. I had for eg thought that the debate over usign phonics to teach reading had been settled, but I gather it still not used everywhere in the UK. Similarly my wife teaches at a Comprehensive that is rated outstanding, with well above average results. Disciple is actually key, students suffer penalties including detention for any uniform infringement, pupils have to stand behind desks and be silent when the teacher enters a room. She had a colleague who moved north to a school which was at the opposite end of the achivement tables. Pupils called teachers by their first names, did not wear uniforms, and lessons were chaos. She lasted 6 months before moving back. This may sound "old fashioned" and therefore there are those on the left who seem to have an automatic objection, but they work. If you look at some of the poorer eastern European countries or those in other parts of the world, then you will find discipline in the classroom is key. I remember when a teacher provided footage of the anarchy in classrooms in a number of comps, the reaction of the NUT was to hound her out of the profession. We need to remember the NUT are there to represent teachers, not the children. Not a political statement against unions, who have an important role in our society, but a simple fact. |