"Secularism is a religion...Atheism is a religion"

[abdoujaparov]

Well, we'd like to think that we don't, anyway.

Very amusingly, there's only two countries in the world that appoint unelected clerics into the heart of govt - and that's the UK and Iran.

[strummer77]

I strongly disagree with a lot of that. According to the census myself, mother, sister and step father are all Christian but actually it is only my mother, we are all atheist but because she fills it out we get the tag...this would apply to a lot of my friends.

Edited February 17, 2012 by strummer77

[eFestivals]

Parenting and early years development are the biggest challenge to make sure schools have a chance.

very true.

And the tories are stopping funding such schemes, to ensure that their own kids don't face too stiff competition.

[eFestivals]

Really the question needs to be rephrased to something like 'are you a practicing Christian?' or 'do you attend any of these places of worship regularly?'. If that was the question I'd imagine the number of 'Christians' on the census would drop sharply.

less than 5%, by research done by Christian groups.

Muslims make up >1% of the practicing religious in Britain today, which is astounding when you consider how small a part of the population they are.

[eFestivals]

The pupil premium is a good thing...

The expanding of nursery places is a good thing...

What have they stopped ? SureStart ?

the names of the schemes pass me by. My missus tells me, but it tends to go straight thru because it's parr for the course from the tories.

All of the schemes are either being cut back or stopped entirely.

[kaosmark2]

Or look at fixing some of societies problems and stop wrongly looking at schools...

Schools are more heavily founded, monitored and supported than when I was a kid. Even my old failing school is improved.

The social problem persist and are possibly getting worse. Parenting and early years development are the biggest challenge to make sure schools have a chance.

Oh I wouldn't worry... I am still going on three holidays this year, plus the olympics So I am getting a long just fine despite Thatchers best efforts

[strummer77]

Says you... You know you don't speak for everyone right ?

Edited February 17, 2012 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

I don't think that is fair lol... You might disagree with me but I am certainly making points of value unlike him... Well ones that are related to the discussion at least and not individuals (Stummer apart be he is a special case )

[kaosmark2]

The only other option is election on ability and move back to grammar schools...

The fact is poorer parent's couldn't afford to travel the distance to the "good" school anyway...

What's the solution ? Losts hear saying what is wrong but not many saying how it should be...

[kaosmark2]

Most those things are happening... Tories actually increased the number of nursery places for low income families... Pupil premium as well...

Move to Free / Academy schools seems to be positive as well...

Although the private sector is always going to get the best... You can't really stop that... Unless you ban private eduction...

[kaosmark2]

is it harsh to say that in life we will always have losers and winners ?

Not everyone is going to win...

The current system still allows the able to float up to the top... Granted it might be harder than with a rich kid...

We could go to the communist utopia that some want and live the North Korean dream ?

What is the dream people are after ?

[abdoujaparov]

Most those things are happening... Tories actually increased the number of nursery places for low income families... Pupil premium as well...

Move to Free / Academy schools seems to be positive as well...

Although the private sector is always going to get the best... You can't really stop that... Unless you ban private eduction...

[strummer77]

Capitalist principles say that you will always have winners and losers, but everyone should start with equal opportunities.

Ensuring those equal opportunities for kids is vital, otherwise it's just an aristocracy in disguise.

[kaosmark2]

More and more schools are turning into Academy schools... So the overall impact, and as long as the trend continues, should be positive...

You need to test the water with things...

Surely you see the impossibility in this statement ? Well operating in a capitalist world anyway...

I have private healthcare... How is it irrelevant but private education is ?

[eFestivals]

More and more schools are turning into Academy schools... So the overall impact, and as long as the trend continues, should be positive...

and yet the facts of academy schools gets to show they perform worse per pound than the school types they changed from.

A change of badge and less accountability means fuck all.

You need to test the water with things...

it's been tested. the results are in. It's a failed idea.

And yet the tories are continuing down the same path but to a greater extent. The only reasons why is so that the govt can claim they're not accountable for the failure (because they have no democratic accountability), and so that they can claim the system needs changing again.

And it doesn't need a genius to work out what that further change will be.

I have private healthcare...

only sick people have private healthcare.

[kaosmark2]

Capitalism certainly makes impossible for everyone to start with exact same opportunities...

[abdoujaparov]

I wonder how are resident home school parent feels about being forced to send their kid to state school.

[kaosmark2]

We are in a recession... (Even if not by the numbers I think its clear we are)...

We are billions in debt...

You can't ignore these realities...

Yeah we need more tax revenue but at the same time we need to competitive... So *shrug*...

No point moaning for the sake of it.. To change major things we would need major change...

Whats on your mind ?

[abdoujaparov]

We are in a recession... (Even if not by the numbers I think its clear we are)...

We are billions in debt...

You can't ignore these realities...

Yeah we need more tax revenue but at the same time we need to competitive... So *shrug*...

No point moaning for the sake of it.. To change major things we would need major change...

Whats on your mind ?

[kaosmark2]

There is a couple of threads where we talked about free / academy schools... Go knock yourself out...

[abdoujaparov]

As long as Iran is happy for us to be around to enjoy that education.... (the point is we have defence for a reason)

[strummer77]

but when you say you have an understanding of what most people want, or believe, that's ok..?

Edited February 17, 2012 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

EVERYONE involved in education accepts the importance of early years development... Pre-school... Or are you going to ban me from buying educational resources for my kid as well?

You think family contacts matter nothing ?

etc etc

[kaosmark2]

Fact is building that stuff creates jobs for a lot of people..,

Locking people in prison generates a massive industry off the back of it...

So no not wacky, but those changes, cause other problems...

And lets not play games... Are military spend is for a reason, so we can fuck over other countries so are kids get free nursery places...

[abdoujaparov]

Fact is building that stuff creates jobs for a lot of people..,

Locking people in prison generates a massive industry off the back of it...

So no not wacky, but those changes, cause other problems...

And lets not play games... Are military spend is for a reason, so we can fuck over other countries so are kids get free nursery places...