Education Matters

In response to:McLevels To Go....

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:38:05 +0200

Once you have left school industry qualifications are more valuable, in a way, than conventional qualifications because they show employers that you have gained practical experience of the work environment and are committed to getting on and achieving things.

Employers know that people don't always reach their potential at school, for whatever reason, and will generally overlook a lack of qualifications if there are demonstrable achievements in a candidates employment history. They will usually choose that candidate over another with great academic results but not employment experience.

In response to:Schools on the frontline against knife crime

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:05:08 +0100

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In response to:Do schools have the recipe for healthy teenagers?

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:57:05 +0100

Cooking should never have left the curriculum! Now it is back it really will have to take account, not only of what equipment and space schools have, but also what home kitchens of today are like - so someone will need to come up with appropriate microwaveable meals and one-pot wonders! Also, lessons on how to wash up properly and hygenically and how to load a dishwasher. Great stuff though - and these lessons should be very popular if they are done right.

In response to:Schools on the frontline against knife crime

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:57:20 +0100

I agree that a lot of the legislation, initiatives, league-tables, metal detectors and the countless other things introduced to improve the education system, have simply failed.

However, modern life is dangerous for some young people.

Teenagers are stabbing and killing each other.

We cannot turn the other way if there is something that could stop such brutal acts.

But I do not agree that the answer is to pre-criminalize and fix the link between schools and violence.

Schools should continue to be a safe environment where the focus is on teaching and learning. A place where young people can indeed find the works of Fibonacci and others if they want to, and see that history does sometimes hold the answers.

Schools should be the place where all young people can find a life away from the influence of gang culture and knives.

This will not be possible if schools, and teachers, are to become extensions of the criminal justice system and violence is schools is considered part of daily life.

In response to:Schools on the frontline against knife crime

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:23:43 +0100

In our urge to protect our young people are we in danger of wrapping them up in a false sense of security, only to then leave them unprepared for the dangers of real life when they leave school? How does this prepare them for a 'year out' experience?
Also... are we encouraging the inate innovativeness of children to divert down an undesirable route?

In response to:Do schools have the recipe for healthy teenagers?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:19:56 +0100

I think this is an excellent idea because then everybody will have at least a basic knowledge of how to cook a healthy meal.

In response to:Do schools have the recipe for healthy teenagers?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:18:32 +0100

As a parent I am increasingly asking myself what kind of parental role I have left to play. Increasingly it seems that parenting is the job of the teachers and the concern is what cost this will have on the overall quality of the education given to our children. Surely every parent wants their child to have a good grounding in subjects such as cookery, but why can this not take place in the context of family cooking and eating. This would free up time in the already over-crowded teaching timetable in school and also not fail to have a positive impact as the family unit interact and eat together and pass healthy-living awareness and culinary skills down the generations.

In response to:Do schools have the recipe for healthy teenagers?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:28:20 +0100

I personally think its a good idea to bring back the cookery lessons, hopefully it can help break the fast food generation and get healthy eating back on track. i agree its not going to be easy and like yourself I worry that it is just a quick fix and another publicity scam like a lot of their proposals.

In response to:Schools on the frontline against knife crime

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:26:51 +0100

This may well happen with a minority.

However is it right to react by criminalising young people and assuming that penal measures are the only option.

Perhaps we should be redirecting their determination and resourcefulness, after all they are positive qualities if focussed on other activities.

In response to:Do schools have the recipe for healthy teenagers?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:17:47 +0100

It is true that many young people today have no opportunity to try out their cookery skills - either at home or at school.

So, we shouldn't be surprised when they rely on a diet of ready-meals and take aways.

Cookery lessons in school may help to break this cycle, however they must be part of a bigger effort to tackle healthy eating.

The danger is that this is a quick fix policy, with little chance of working if it isn't accompanied by funds for resources and a more widespread change in our attitudes to food.

In response to:Do schools have the recipe for healthy teenagers?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:47:41 +0100

I agree with the move to bring back cookery lessons. As someone who works with young people I am often shocked by how little they seem to help in the kitchen at home, and by their lack of familarity with even the most basic of natural ingredients. If we want children to opt for healthy school dinners and make healthy choices in later life, it all ties in that they need to know how to make nutritious and affordable meals themselves too.

In response to:Schools on the frontline against knife crime

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:47:15 +0100

I am so bored of hearing how dangerous life is, boo hoo, poor teachers, poor police, poor politicians... put the f***ing lot of them in a boat, sail it into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and scuttle it.

The Persian mystics understood the current problems over 1000 years ago, so stop trying to nanny us all, and get your own houses in order first. Read history, actually try and read between the lines, history is always written by the victors after all, and unlike Hollywood depictions, the victor isn't always right.

Study the work of Fibonacci, it explains how easily a stupid idea can spiral into a monumental catastrophe such as Britain is today.

Educate yourselves, and forget all these idiots who think they can put things roght with a little legislation. Think for yourselves and stop bleeting like sheep. Baa baa.

In response to:Schools on the frontline against knife crime

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:37:41 +0100

Besides, the nasty little swines will probably invent plastic daggers.