But nought out of ten to the local Tory for his "Nasty-Party", unfounded attack on Labour's education record. Find out more...
Citizenship studies were added to the curriculum by our Labour Government.
Young people need to know the importance of everyone playing their part in the democracy we all live in, and those in our Armed Forces risk death to defend.
So it was a privilege to be the Labour Candidate be on the Q&A Panel in the College's Octagon Theatre last Monday. The Post-16 students had chosen good probing questions to put to us, concerning fairness, concerning environmental issues, concerning the funding of their education.
And it was on the last point that the Tory candidate let fly his invective against Labour's massive and ongoing boost for schools and learning across the country. Having myself experienced the savage education cuts of the Tory years and the incredible way parents rallied with teachers to fight back I couldn't believe my ears. I asked him to consider how insulting his words sounded against the dedicated teaching staff in the room, against the aspiring Post-16 students. Afterwards he told me I had mistaken his words. But I beleive he exposed the Tory intent to hack at education yet again if they get to power. IF... Don't let that happen.
If education is so important why is the dedicated schools grant per head in Devon the third lowest in the country? Are you going to pledge to denounce this Labour unfunding of my children's future?
ReplyDeleteHi DevonChap,
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you asked. The answer is not just me but I hope you and many other people as well. There is a review of the funding formula under way and it is important for evidence to be submitted. If you go to the Govts Teachernet website you’ll find out more - http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/schoolfunding/DSGformulareview/
The review is looking closely at the questions of rurality and deprivation and there’s an email address for people/schools to use to make their voices heard schoolfunding.dsgformulareview@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Between 1997/98 and 2005/6 education revenue for Devon went up by £990 per pupil in real terms. I believe it is £3,843 at the moment and should rise to £4005 for 2010/11 (which is the last year for this way of funding being done).
You might like to compare this to the Tory Govt Devon per pupil funding in 1994 which was set at £96 per pupil. Yes, that’s ninety-six pounds.
And the Labour Party is the only Party committed to protecting schools’ funding.