Education Muddles
I have from the beginning of this coalition government been uncertain about its eduction policies, which are mostly based upon the Tory blueprint, much of which I have criticised in the past. The latest muddles and mistakes over the school building programme, which should not have happened, confirm this department as the weak link in the new government chain. On the plus side the restoration of teacher authority and the shutting down of quangos has been very welcome, but the positive is being overshadowed by the negative.
It may very well be the case that the Labour programme was in confusion. Resolving it with more muddle is hardly a way forward. Moreover a question hangs over the concept of encouraging so many schools to become Academies at this time and an even bigger questions hangs over the novelty schools to be set up by parents. All these ideas may be radical and worthwhile, though I have some doubts, but introducing them piecemeal through a department which the new government claims it found in disorder, will lead to one muddle upon another. Either that or the muddles are of the coalition’s making.
It is without doubt politically inept to announce the cancellation of rebuilding projects of schools which are falling down, even if there are some which could wait. I fear the new Secretary of State may be a better talker than an organiser. Opposition is indeed about talking, but government is about doing and Mr Gove is not at present doing well.