OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary, Isle of Wight – National Education Union. Ed
Regarding the six Isle of Wight primary schools at risk of closure, I have heard many concerns in recent meetings; concerns from parents, pupils, their families, staff and members of the public.
Concerns, no doubt mentioned in last week’s Local Government Association report. A focused succinct report, highlighting the rationale and need for change.
Poverty “cannot be ignored by effective education systems”
More importantly, it touched on the bigger challenge – poverty.
“Poverty is not an excuse for underachievement in education, but can contribute to underachievement and so cannot be ignored by effective education systems.”
Neither can national government continue to deny or ignore poverty. “Absolute poverty: UK sees biggest rise for 30 years” according to a BBC Fact Check headline this year.
“We work with the tools we have, not the ones we need”
As it happens this weekend, while watching a TV programme, the short-staffed FBI were attempting to catch a serial killer, whilst having their budget cut.
In optimistic Hollywood style, one character said:
“We work with the tools we have, not the ones we need.”
If only education reality were able to replicate the undoubted progress expected in the next fictional episode.
