Get ready for McDonald's high!
Today, one of the most significant pieces of leglislation for over a hundred years, The Schools Bill will be presented to the commons, amongst its proposals are plans to let allow schools to become "trust' schools' and allow private businesses/the voluntary sector, religious groups to basically run schools in certain areas.
One could say we are going back to Victorian times or even further back, with the village school, etc, but in their defence, at least there was massive lobbies for state education. What we seem to be getting now is something new, (although not in the US) untested and potentially very dangerous. While many opponents are justifiably worried about the selection process these schools may use in the future and the L.E.A’s being frozen out, no one seems to have concerns about the ideological nature of these schools: Do people think that for instance, that as these schools become accepted that ‘Shell High’ will encourage a critical analysis of climate change and the environment or that a school funded by Muslim or Christian Fundamentalists will encourage a critique of their respective religions, never mind explore humanism, non-beliefs, etc. However, imo, it is the corporate influence that will be the most long lasting and influential: as the Jesuits once said, give me the child at seven and I will give you the man.’ So, one can argue that soon we may have a mirror image' free-market version of the Soviet Union, instead of churning out ‘good communists’ now the goal will be be to churn out uncritical but highly educated consumers who can play their part in the great global economy.
The major opposition to the bill has come from Labour rebels and some unusual critics like Neil Kinnock, . However, the left/radicals etc, have been largely absent, nothing here on IUK for instance, Yet, these are changes which may have profound consequences, long term even more than the War in Iraq, which many activists, particulary the SWP/Respect obsess about (despite the recent tragic events.) The environment, an issue close to radicals hearts will become increasingly marginal in a neo- liberal education system, excepts perhaps as a 'business opportunity'. So, are we sleepwalking into a new 'Brave New World' of capitalist/consumerist hegemony, where a McDonalds High or a Virgin Interactive Academy, (you can be sure Branson will get on board) is the best thing our educational system can offer,
So, where's the opposition?
about the bill
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/publ...1719913,00.html
.
Today, one of the most significant pieces of leglislation for over a hundred years, The Schools Bill will be presented to the commons, amongst its proposals are plans to let allow schools to become "trust' schools' and allow private businesses/the voluntary sector, religious groups to basically run schools in certain areas.
One could say we are going back to Victorian times or even further back, with the village school, etc, but in their defence, at least there was massive lobbies for state education. What we seem to be getting now is something new, (although not in the US) untested and potentially very dangerous. While many opponents are justifiably worried about the selection process these schools may use in the future and the L.E.A’s being frozen out, no one seems to have concerns about the ideological nature of these schools: Do people think that for instance, that as these schools become accepted that ‘Shell High’ will encourage a critical analysis of climate change and the environment or that a school funded by Muslim or Christian Fundamentalists will encourage a critique of their respective religions, never mind explore humanism, non-beliefs, etc. However, imo, it is the corporate influence that will be the most long lasting and influential: as the Jesuits once said, give me the child at seven and I will give you the man.’ So, one can argue that soon we may have a mirror image' free-market version of the Soviet Union, instead of churning out ‘good communists’ now the goal will be be to churn out uncritical but highly educated consumers who can play their part in the great global economy.
The major opposition to the bill has come from Labour rebels and some unusual critics like Neil Kinnock, . However, the left/radicals etc, have been largely absent, nothing here on IUK for instance, Yet, these are changes which may have profound consequences, long term even more than the War in Iraq, which many activists, particulary the SWP/Respect obsess about (despite the recent tragic events.) The environment, an issue close to radicals hearts will become increasingly marginal in a neo- liberal education system, excepts perhaps as a 'business opportunity'. So, are we sleepwalking into a new 'Brave New World' of capitalist/consumerist hegemony, where a McDonalds High or a Virgin Interactive Academy, (you can be sure Branson will get on board) is the best thing our educational system can offer,
So, where's the opposition?
about the bill
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/publ...1719913,00.html .
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