It's all kicking off in the classrooms
Teacher ROBERT POOLE reflects on the year past and the year to come, as education staff prepare to fight the government not just for their rights, but for the future and purpose of schooling itself
The welcome news that Cuba has finally been removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is tempered by the fact that Donald Trump, the man who put it there, is returning to the White House, warns NATASHA HICKMAN
Thanks to impressive progress in Britain with wind and solar generation, clean electricity now costs a fraction of the price of gas — yet the current system keeps bills artificially high to protect fossil fuels, writes TOM HARDY
By spreading race-based conspiracy theories, the billionaire tycoon turned right-wing provocateur has been seriously undermining the case against those who really did let victims of the grooming gangs down, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
Many Western countries are grappling with deep political instability. What are the causes of this, and what could be a possible way forward? asks MARC VANDEPITTE
KEITH BENNETT explains why, despite its present meagre economic outcomes, an honest and fruitful partnership with China is worth pursuing
Nick Wright talks to photographer and author JANINA STRUK
AS always, there is never a shortage of educational news, but the last year exposed the ineptitude of a government that misplaced nearly £400 million in funding for schools because they forgot there were two new council areas and it turns out that several schools were built with crumbling concrete.
It turns out that cutting funding for the building of new schools has consequences.
Tory austerity has had several other negative results. Unseen, of course, to policy-makers, but obvious to the historical materialists among us. Cheating on exams is up, school absences are up and mental health issues among young people are up.
More from this author
ROBERT POOLE reports back from his mission to Cuba delivering aid and learning from Cuban educators
After an inspiring meeting in Bolton Socialist Club addressed by a visitor from the Cuban Ministry of Higher Education, teacher ROBERT POOLE reflects on what we can learn from the education system in Cuba
As the NEU meets for its annual conference, teacher and union rep ROBERT POOLE reflects on the most intense period of industrial action in his teaching career
Teacher and trade unionist ROBERT POOLE offers some revolutionary thoughts while on holiday in Nerja
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