In Britain, we don't usually find ourselves heavily influenced by Sweden. Apart from a flurry of Abba inspired boy and girl singing troups in the 70s and the 'continental' duvet, we find our respective cultures evolving quite separately
The Conservatives have ‘discovered’ Sweden as an inspirational model for social policy. IDS constantly holds them up as the standard-bearer for dealing with drug addiction. Their zero-tolerance to drug misuse combined with a rather evangelical approach to treatment, appeals to Duncan-Smith's peevish impatience with human weakness.
But it is Swedish education which has most keenly attracted the Tory proponents of the ethereal concept of the Big Society. Tory Education Shadow, Michael Gove (pictured), whether he believes it or not, has been pushing the policy of ‘free’ schools in the Swedish style.
I guess the intention is to portray these plans as unshackling our hugely over-regulated schools and so ‘unleashing the talents’. The ‘free’ schools will be released from a myriad of Government targets and infuriating bureaucratic rules set by Ofsted. They will also be free of the national curriculum and all its supporting guidance and standards.
Cameron has decided ‘free’ schools are emblematic of the sort of change they want to see. It is clearly a top priority; as a Government they would aim to get legislation passed by recess in mid-July and commenced by term-time in September.
Philosophically the policy is totally against the post-Beveridge consensus built up over the last 65 years. So not a surprise that several Conservative Local Authority leaders have placed themselves at variance to HQ’s policy edict. But philosophy aside, what do the plucky Swedes make of it?
Mona Sahlon, leader of Swedish Social Democratic Party, took the trouble to break political etiquette of not getting involved in another country’s election. Writing in the Guardian, she announced they were “proposing to put an end” to their experiment. Ms Sahlon issued a bald warning,“ creating a free market ….will certainly harm standards.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/02/conservative-education-policy-swedish-failures
This neo-con style of policy determination amounts to a rather aggressive and emotional response to a complex issue. Similarly, the Cons have decreed graduates with Richards (third-class degrees) will no longer be considered teacher material. A top degree does not a great teacher make.
Presumably even a minority Conservative Government will have a go at pushing this through in double quick time. It would have about as much chance of being passed as Osborne’s regressive budget. But at least their policies with face proper Parliamentary scrutiny then rather than the shallow analysis of an election studio.
Of course, by then we would be gearing ourselves for a second election in the Autumn.
_______________________________________________________
George Osborne announced to the Mail on Sunday he would not plot against PM Cameron in an attempt to land the role of Premier. To paraphrase the great Muhammed Ali, “If Osborne even dreamt about becoming Prime Minister, he should wake up and apologise.”
But it is Swedish education which has most keenly attracted the Tory proponents of the ethereal concept of the Big Society. Tory Education Shadow, Michael Gove (pictured), whether he believes it or not, has been pushing the policy of ‘free’ schools in the Swedish style.
I guess the intention is to portray these plans as unshackling our hugely over-regulated schools and so ‘unleashing the talents’. The ‘free’ schools will be released from a myriad of Government targets and infuriating bureaucratic rules set by Ofsted. They will also be free of the national curriculum and all its supporting guidance and standards.
Cameron has decided ‘free’ schools are emblematic of the sort of change they want to see. It is clearly a top priority; as a Government they would aim to get legislation passed by recess in mid-July and commenced by term-time in September.
Philosophically the policy is totally against the post-Beveridge consensus built up over the last 65 years. So not a surprise that several Conservative Local Authority leaders have placed themselves at variance to HQ’s policy edict. But philosophy aside, what do the plucky Swedes make of it?
Mona Sahlon, leader of Swedish Social Democratic Party, took the trouble to break political etiquette of not getting involved in another country’s election. Writing in the Guardian, she announced they were “proposing to put an end” to their experiment. Ms Sahlon issued a bald warning,“ creating a free market ….will certainly harm standards.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/02/conservative-education-policy-swedish-failures
This neo-con style of policy determination amounts to a rather aggressive and emotional response to a complex issue. Similarly, the Cons have decreed graduates with Richards (third-class degrees) will no longer be considered teacher material. A top degree does not a great teacher make.
Presumably even a minority Conservative Government will have a go at pushing this through in double quick time. It would have about as much chance of being passed as Osborne’s regressive budget. But at least their policies with face proper Parliamentary scrutiny then rather than the shallow analysis of an election studio.
Of course, by then we would be gearing ourselves for a second election in the Autumn.
_______________________________________________________
George Osborne announced to the Mail on Sunday he would not plot against PM Cameron in an attempt to land the role of Premier. To paraphrase the great Muhammed Ali, “If Osborne even dreamt about becoming Prime Minister, he should wake up and apologise.”
1 comment:
Gove is a Frankenstein's monster formed of the most unwanted parts of Mandy and Tebbitt - a chilling prospect indeed. Wouldn't want him anywhere near my kids' classrooms let alone running them. Good lord, what have let ourselves for if this ideologically motivated Davros takes charge of our schools?
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