We face austerity, privatisation, and toxic influence. But we are growing, and cannot be beaten
The biggest challenge in education? How long have you got?
Yes, the Tories are particularly bad, but we must ignore any politician that claims they can force improvements in our educational attainment by doing anything other than creating a more just and equal society for our kids, writes ROBERT POOLE
School child
Trump’s economic adviser has exposed the actual strategy: forcing other countries to provide financial support for US world hegemony
Activist Angie Zelter has been arrested more than a hundred times. She’s not stopping now, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
Natalia Marques looks at last week's ruling that Khalil can be deported and its implications
We are not here to advocate for the arms industry or its CEOs, writes STEVE HANDFORD, and that means we must take a stand against the government’s spending on war
As Labour mimics Tory welfare cuts while ignoring crumbling schools, educators must collectively resist the government's priorities and fight for an inclusive, creative system that values all children, writes NEU president SARAH KILPATRICK
Although our sector is hearing better things from the current government, the recognition that what we do is education in its own right, rather than just childcare, is still not reflected in policy, writes LUCY COLEMAN
I RECENTLY had an interesting conversation with an executive from a large teacher training provider. One question I was asked was what the biggest challenge in education was. I think I answered by saying something along the lines of “how long have you got?” — but the question did make me stop and think.
Every different teacher would probably give you very different answers. For some it might be pupils’ behaviour, for others it would be Ofsted. For a small number it would probably be “the woke agenda” (whatever that is) and for more it would be mental health.
The obvious answer is of course the Tory government. But simply replacing the Tory government though would not solve all our problems unless it was replaced by a government committed to radical educational reform.
More from this author
The NEU’s annual conference promises heated debate, with motions on international politics, curriculum reform and union amalgamation likely to provoke strong reactions and challenge the status quo, writes Education for Tomorrow editor ROBERT POOLE
The series unveils uncomfortable truths about youth alienation and online radicalisation — but the real crisis lies in austerity and the absence of class consciousness in addressing young people’s disillusionment, says teacher ROBERT POOLE
From colonialism to the Troubles, the story of England’s first colony is one of exploitation, resistance, and solidarity — and one we should fight to ensure is told, writes teacher ROBERT POOLE
As the government moves to rein in academy freedoms, former darling of conservative education reform Katharine Birbalsingh cries ‘Marxism.’ Education columnist ROBERT POOLE examines how academisation has failed our children while enriching executives and empowering ideologues at the expense of democratic accountability
