Do you believe in meritocracy? Do you believe that the society in which we live provides everyone the same chance to do well? Do you think Education serves everyone and is fair?
I don’t.
And this saddens me, it is inherently wrong and no teacher wants this. However we don’t live in an equal society. There are still inequalities between the genders and between the social classes. I teach sociology and we often discuss whether Education is fair and it is fair to say that the conclusion is often no. Those that believe Education is fair argue that the system benefits everyone, that children all get the opportunity to attend their local comprehensive school where they will be served well. That all the children share resources from the teachers through to the library and sporting facilities. It is open access for all and all have the same opportunity, therefore if you put in you will achieve. Whilst that may be true once inside the school perimeter teachers are only to well aware that it is not an open playing field.
There exists private schools, grammar schools and comprehensives that are far from the same. Much depends on location. Schools know that some of our students haven’t eaten breakfast before school. We know some live in cramped conditions, we know some live in homes where poverty is rife. I have taught children that don’t even have their own bed.
Poverty is currently one of the biggest causes of concern. Children that have a limited income and come from the poorest families are given a pupil premium and this will be used try and bridge that gap. However more still needs to be done. And you can make a difference.
Save the children are launching a new campaign today in which they are looking recruit 20,000 change makers in the next four years. These change makers (people like me and you) can really make a difference.
Did you know:
• Many poor children in the UK today start school already behind their better-off peers – through no fault of their own.
• Last year, 1 in 4 poor children left primary school without basic skills in reading and writing.
12 Responses
Great post Emma and totally right.
Thanks Merry, it is so easy to point the finger of blame but I think what we need is collective action to stop this happening.
Superb post – it really is time people stood up together and help isn’t it? x
I think it is a long term project, educating this generation to think books and reading are fun, so that when they have children reading is a thing they naturally do with their children, and so the cycle is broken. It is good they are looking to start somewhere.
I was lucky I grew up with a love of books which I passed to my children, and them to theirs, all mine had books read to them from weeks old, but I use to be a parent helper and a lot of children had never really seen a book or had a story read.
My children grew up in what was classed as an area of deprivation and I am sure it did have a big impact on some of the children.
Brilliant, powerful post Emma, thank you so much. You have really hit the nail on the head and I’m delighted that you are supporting this important campaign. x
Such an information post Emma, thanks a lot for opening my eyes to a new campaign with STC. Mich x
I love this post, I can totally hear your voice and your passion in your words. Fantastic X
It is really sad that this happens in todays society really. Great post.