Ordinary Voices on Education

I have closely followed the debate over the present government's reforms of education. It has been a torrid affair. From the outset, it's been a battle of opposing ideologies. The only common ground apparently being an understanding that, if we are to build an education system fit for the new century, reforms are necessary. Beyond that general view, there is no sign of consensus. Issues of left versus right; the professionals versus politicians have dominated the debate and created division. 

Early on, I was struck by the futility of personal attacks on Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education (SoS), as the architect of the most recent reforms, regarded by many critics as belonging to a bygone age. All this seemed to be achieving was holding the opposition together. It was not having any impact on government policy - and it still isn't!

But, I also detected a growing consensus among education professionals, some journalists and members of the public. Increasingly, commentators were expressing concerns that party politics was shaping the reforms to a degree not experienced previously. Accusations that the SoS was rejecting outright the voice of professionals was further fueling the debate.

Frustrated by the situation, I have come up with an idea, set out here in 'Ordinary Voices on Education'. On two counts, I was determined to take a more constructive stance over the future of our public education system by campaigning to remove policy-making from the party political arena.

First, I understand it may help beleaguered professionals to let off steam if they attack the object of their anger. However, it takes attention away from the need to engage the wider public in a thorough assessment of the 'reforms' currently being forced through. Until this is possible, mounting damage is being inflicted on public education in our country.

Secondly, in the absence of direct action, the problem that perpetuates the current set-up, continues to operate largely unnamed and to persist unopposed. I do not find it particularly helpful that critics go on attacking the person behind the policies or publishing their extensive, scholarly findings as if it is just a matter of time before their voices are heard and they win the argument. I get the sense, from a seeming lack of urgency, that some of these commentators are indeed more hopeful than expectant, and that will not bring about the necessary change.

If my fears are well founded, our collective failure to engage with the problem carries real risks. Should we just accept that the governance of education is an inevitable bi-product of the electoral system (with the power to reform education that this brings)? I believe not. Political ideology is too crude a power to direct the future of education reform, as it has done in the past. Left unchanged, the system will ultimately damage our democracy.

With this in mind, the idea behind 'Ordinary Voices on Education' was born. Below, I set out the guiding principles and state the initial objective of the campaign.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

'Ordinary Voices' is a non-political movement set up to encourage greater participation in democratic society.

'Ordinary Voices on Education' signals the launch of a nationwide campaign to reform the mechanism for the strategic planning of education policy.

New governments appoint a Secretary of State and Ministers for Education to oversee the implementation of their party's policies.

In the last decade, there have been five individuals from the two major political parties entrusted with this task.

Not surprisingly, this has generated rapid change, sometimes creating instability and uncertainty in the system, involving great cost for dubious returns.

The education of young people is, unquestionably, a long-term enterprise. Changes to the curriculum and to professional pedagogy should be well researched, to identify potential benefits, properly resourced and thoroughly evaluated. Short-term, quick-fix reforms have no place in such an education system. They will fail the young.

'Ordinary Voices on Education' does not argue against reform. However, it does call for a broader consensus over the role of education in an uncertain future.

'Ordinary Voices on Education' invites you to sign the petition and to keep yourself informed about the progress of the campaign.

INITIAL OBJECTIVE
(The Petition)

Politicians of all parties are called upon to support the establishment of a National Education Commission. Its first task being to draft proposals, outlining how responsibility for national policy-making for education may be decoupled from the machinery of party politics.

The petition, worded as above, is now ready. It will be made available to the general public, initially at school gates across the country. Your support in getting it into the public arena would be gratefully accepted. This is just a beginning.