Prime Minister’s obsession with the private sector

30 November 2006

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech in Birmingham today (30 November) Steve Sinnott, NUT General Secretary, said:

“I find the Government’s proposal to double the number of academies extraordinary. Despite the absence of any evidence that academy status in itself improves standards and the Chief Inspector’s refusal to endorse the Government’s enthusiasm for academies, the Government seems intent on ploughing ahead regardless.

“The Prime Minister’s ideological obsession with the supposed magical powers of the private sector flies in the face of what is needed – practical support for schools in the toughest areas, improved measures to recruit and retain staff , and smaller class sizes. Neither trust schools nor academies guarantee these essentials. They merely feed the Prime Minister’s obsession.

“The Prime Minister seems to be going back on his intervention before Tomlinson reported, that A levels were safe in his hands. The Government could still develop a home grown baccalaureate rather than the international baccalaureate and a host of other qualifications.

“Currently too many different types of exam are being taken in different schools causing confusion for pupils and parents alike. Schools need a level playing field on access to high quality qualifications and an understanding across the country of what each qualification means is essential for every pupil.”