Education: PUP approach to reform

Paul Morrow is a reader of Slugger and a member of the PUP. In a recent discussion thread he outlined an interesting case for radical reform within the system, that we thought bears looking at again.

By Paul Morrow, PUP

On the 11+ we do not see a need to end a selection processes. We do see the need to end the testing and the selection of children geared to the current academic curriculum. If everyone were academically orientated it would be less important but the facts are that children have a variety of talents and not just the ability to pass tests in Maths, English and Science.

Such testing manufactures failure, primarily the failure to recognise and develop the talents of those children not selected for Grammar schools, which in itself promotes distinctions further on in society. The curriculum and the setting of children�s goals to have a Grammar school education is the position that must be changed.

This does not mean the destruction of the academic grammar education, rather the expansion of resources, funding and status of non-academic education that utilises the talents of all children without attaching the stigma of failure. Essentially a selection based on ability and talent, all being of equal status and provided for through an equal standard of education. If this were the system in place would we need or still favour the singularly orientated academic selection process? Would it not just be the case of children continuing in the path of education that is most suited to their personal development?

Without reforms middle class families will continue to send their middle class children to the perceived superior middle class schools and the working class families and children will continue to suffer as a result of the inequality of such a system. One that is bias in both aspects of socio-economics and psychological development, each of with favour the middle class in terms of achievement.

This is just one of many approaches we see as reason to remove the 11+.

Mick Fealty

Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty