DON'T GO BACK TO THE 'DOG-EAT-DOG' DAYS IN SCHOOLS

10.45.11am GMT Fri 16th Dec 2005

At Thursday's meeting of Kent County Council, Martin Vye, Liberal Democrat Member for Canterbury City South West, attacked the Government's plans for education as laid out in the recent White Paper.

There is great concern in all 3 parties in Kent about these plans, and as a result time was set aside at the Council meeting, at the suggestion of Trudy Dean, Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

During the full council debate Martin proposed that in KCC's response to Government, Members of all 3 parties should emphasise the damage that could be done to education in Kent if the White Paper becomes law.

Martin said: "The Government thinks that competition between schools is the answer to improving educational standards, and talks about allowing 'successful' schools to expand, and allowing parents or organisations to set up new schools in competition with existing schools. It talks about increasing the independence of schools, but this is a red herring. Already, in Kent, schools have the independence from the education authority that they want. Many have chosen to be foundation schools, which gives them control of their own land, and staffing."

"Many - including the vast majority of primary schools - have opted to remain as community schools. And the big move in recent years has been towards much more extensive co-operation - between KCC and schools, and between schools and schools."

"This has been the main reason for which there has been the substantial improvement in educational attainment by our children and young people seen recently. Don't let's return to the 'dog-eat-dog' mentality of the past, where schools fought each other, rather than work together."

Martin concluded: "Both the other political parties in the Council Chamber have had to register their strong disagreement with their national leaders, with both Tony Blair, whose plans these are, and with David Cameron who has stated he supports the Government's plans. Only Kent Liberal Democrats are at one with their national party in condemning these divisive proposals."