Teach politicians a valuable lesson

WHEN I became a teacher in 1959, it was a profession and the position was regarded with almost as much respect as the local vicar or squire. Not only were we expected to teach one’s subject thoroughly, but also to inculcate the best qualities of citizenship, honesty, integrity etc. The first real change in status came when the teachers union, the NUT, demanding a contract to increase salaries and reduce hours and commitments. This started a move, not only to change the role of the teacher, but also the very soul of education. Party political ideas were adopted to change society and also governmental experiments with the curriculum and examination results were used to prove political success. Because control is firmly in the hands of politicians, educational change is minimal. It is unfortunate that because they spent eleven years plus at school, the politicians consider themselves as experts. The biggest misconception is the use of the term “grammar school”. Because it was a fairly successful system based on selection, the greater importance has been missed. The grammar schools were successful because they used a philosophy far wider than selection. Academic success was very important, but this was backed up, particularly in the 20th century, by the understanding that each child had other qualities that needed to be developed. So each school had a heavy underlying curriculum of sports, drama, music, art, Etc. Of course with such an education came the emphasis on character building.

This grammar school philosophy is not unique and fits easily into the “comprehensive “idea that each child deserves to have the opportunity to improve all skills, not just academic. Many comprehensive schools are highly successful through using this philosophy.

It is so sad that the role of the teacher seems to have been downgraded into that of a “tick box” clerk or just a purveyor of knowledge for the almighty curriculum. There are other qualities that need to be addressed apart from examination results. The country certainly needs an enlightened Minister Of Education that will reintroduce some “education” back into education. Mr. P. Wilson

Sad to go down route of dog ban

THE dog ban at the Godiva Festival is certainly for the better.

However it is sad that the council has had to go down this route.

Surely dog owners possess enough common sense to know what is best and safe for their pets without having to be told.

Now call me a cynic, but in recent months there has been a number of cases where taxi drivers have refused to carry dogs in their cabs as well as a number of incidents at restaurants. Now we have this public event dog ban and all with the enthusiastic approval of the council. Or am I just barking up the wrong tree? Brian Nathan-Partridge, Coventry