Priority 4: A strong start for all children |
| Posted on Feb 12 2008 |
| Priorities >> Education |
Shaun Bailey explains why a good education for all is vital...
As a local school governor, I believe education is one of the most important areas to focus on.
Four in every five youngsters receiving custodial sentences have no qualifications, more than two-thirds of prisoners are illiterate and nearly one-third of those excluded from school have been involved with substance abuse. As David Cameron said recently, “If we do not get education right, we will not get our society right.”
Under Labour, 43% of 11-year-olds cannot read, write and add up properly. This year, more than 20,000 pupils left school without a GCSE. Right now, more than a million young people are not in education, work or training.
I believe in stronger discipline, rigorous standards, greater independence for teachers, coupled with greater parental control and choice. This means giving head teachers the final say in exclusions. It means instilling a passion for learning later in life by making sure children get the basics right in the first place. Freeing teachers to teach rather than fill forms; freeing city academies from the burden of state control and helping poor kids get a place in a good school, regardless of whether it is outside their neighbourhood.
Locally, too few parents are choosing local schools. There are 1400 surplus places (more than a third of the total available) in our community schools and the Burlington Danes Acedemy. 23% of local parents are choosing to educate their children privately and more parents choose state schools outside the borough. The Conservative Council are taking steps to ensure all local children have access to the best possible education, including being part of the 'Building Schools for the Future" programme.
Last changed: Feb 12 2008 at 6:53 PM
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