Most Schools Miss Out on Renovation Programme

Summary: 

Despite widespread concern about the state of the buildings, fewer than half of the schools that asked for renovation via the school building programme, will be renovated.  The educational secretary Michael Gove admits that his manner of cancelling Labour’s building programme had been 'clumsy'. The previous government led them believe that rebuilding was needed but afterwards priorities changed. Fortunately, the 42 schools with the worst conditions will be given priority. Gove also denied, that the closure of grammar schools was responsible for a decrease in social mobility. According to him, the decrease had more to do with 'progressive teaching methods and softer subjects in state schools'. 

Commentary: 

It is understandable that in times of crises, harsh measures and cutbacks are required.  I however expect more consistency in long-term projects affecting the educational system such as these building agreements. With regard to the decline in social mobility, I believe that indeed more factors than closing down grammar schools play a part, but not necessarily the ‘softer subjects’ at state schools.  The investment in the educational system should be part of an on going steady process that can not be halted by the whim of politicians and economic fluctuation, for it is one of the most steady and sure investments you can make for the whole nation to benefit. 

The information was retrieved on May 24^th 2012 from the Guardian news website http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/may/24/schools-privately-financed-renovation-programme article

‘Most schools miss out on privately financed renovation programme’ by Jeevan Vasagar