Friday, November 10, 2006
Keeping you down so you vote for us.
The Times reports here on a new attempt by Alan Johnson education secretary to ensure state control for longer in peoples lives.
He does this under the guise of being nice to "children" 16-18 year old children to be precise. It is his view that it is: "unacceptable for children of 16 to be in full-time work," and they should be in full time education, why this is he doesn't say. I'd have thought that if 16 year old people are in full time work and earning money this is a good thing. The Times report goes on, speaking about and to educationists and other experts, but is strangely missing any comment from 16-18 year old people actually in work. I suppose they're considered too young to have an opinion.
What is unacceptable is state interference in peoples lives. Not everyone wants to stay in education, and some people would much rather work. If you wish to be a plumber or a builder what's the point spending another two years in school? What's the point in spending another two years in school if you're not educationally gifted? If you've got no intention or inclination to go to university? I suppose we'll have to dumb down A levels even more so all the 18 year olds can "have prizes" and a "true sense of achievement".
At least if you get two years in prison you'll be out on parole before you can blink. What right does the state have to force you to (what in many cases will be) waste two years of your life in a state institution?
The reality is that people are quite capable of working at younger ages. At age 14 you should be allowed (on your choice) to opt out of formal education and pursue training in practical skills and trades, it would be far more valuable to most people than simply sitting for a "prizes for all GCSE" in which they might "achieve" a grade D if they're lucky. Of course if we actually started to build a nation of people who could support and rely on themselves we're not likely to vote socialist are we. No let's infantilise people and keep them reliant on the "good" state that'll keep them voting Labour.
Labour: Keeping you down so you vote for us.
He does this under the guise of being nice to "children" 16-18 year old children to be precise. It is his view that it is: "unacceptable for children of 16 to be in full-time work," and they should be in full time education, why this is he doesn't say. I'd have thought that if 16 year old people are in full time work and earning money this is a good thing. The Times report goes on, speaking about and to educationists and other experts, but is strangely missing any comment from 16-18 year old people actually in work. I suppose they're considered too young to have an opinion.
What is unacceptable is state interference in peoples lives. Not everyone wants to stay in education, and some people would much rather work. If you wish to be a plumber or a builder what's the point spending another two years in school? What's the point in spending another two years in school if you're not educationally gifted? If you've got no intention or inclination to go to university? I suppose we'll have to dumb down A levels even more so all the 18 year olds can "have prizes" and a "true sense of achievement".
At least if you get two years in prison you'll be out on parole before you can blink. What right does the state have to force you to (what in many cases will be) waste two years of your life in a state institution?
The reality is that people are quite capable of working at younger ages. At age 14 you should be allowed (on your choice) to opt out of formal education and pursue training in practical skills and trades, it would be far more valuable to most people than simply sitting for a "prizes for all GCSE" in which they might "achieve" a grade D if they're lucky. Of course if we actually started to build a nation of people who could support and rely on themselves we're not likely to vote socialist are we. No let's infantilise people and keep them reliant on the "good" state that'll keep them voting Labour.
Labour: Keeping you down so you vote for us.
