Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/480/2231
From The Socialist newspaper, 29 March 2007
Suffolk
Save our schools
ON 22 March, Suffolk county council voted to close 40 schools after deciding to change to a two-tier system and remove middle schools. 400 parents, pupils and teachers had protested in Bury St Edmunds to try and save the three-tier system and stop schools closing.
Frankie Langeland, Bury St Edmunds
Another protest was held outside the county council offices in Ipswich but the Tory-dominated council voted for the change. All 40 middle schools will close. In this rural area, village primary schools ensure that children get an education near where they live. These schools could not cope with expansion and would be at risk of closure, making children travel into the towns to be taught. This is devastating enough without the lost jobs.
Upper Schools also have sixth forms on site which will be lost in the move to a two-school system. Proposals for a privately run sixth-form centre in Ipswich are already on the table. Will this be repeated across the county as the move to 'reform' education speeds up?
Suffolk council have made no plans for what the new structure will look like. This will be chosen now the council has decided to close the schools.
How can they possibly know that the new education system would be better than the existing one if they don't even know what the new system is?
I was working at a middle school when the council's sham consultation process started. Forms originally promised to be delivered to every Suffolk household were handed out via schools at the end of summer term within days of the submission date. Poorly advertised public meetings were then held in the summer holidays, making it harder for schools to get parents to attend and for pupils, parents and teachers to organise a mass campaign.
The three-tier system does not offer the perfect education. It still lets down pupils and teachers just as the two-tier system. But the cuts to 40 schools, loss of jobs and these policies being rushed through the back door adds to the growing list of attacks on education and public services.
The Socialist Party fights for a free and decent education for all pupils. Parents, teachers and pupils should unite to beat this brutal attack on our education system.
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 29 March 2007:
Council workers fight pay cut scandal
Council unions reject 2% pay offer
Fighting cuts and privatisation
Socialist Party NHS campaign
What we think
A simple conclusion from a 'simplification' budget
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tenants defeat housing sell-off
Universities fail to accept state school pupils
London Olympics: Big business bonanza - and we pay
Socialist Party election campaign
For the millions, not the millionaires
Socialist Party feature
Edinburgh postal workers fight back
Workers' fightback to defend postal services
Northern Ireland agreement
We Won't Pay anti-water charges demo 31 March
International socialist news and analysis
Turkish state attacks Kurdish protestors
Socialist Party workplace news
Airbus walkout - joint action needed across Europe
Determined campaigners win reprieve
Manchester Unity Stewards and activists group
Hants library workers fight cuts
Sacked electricians win tribunal ruling
Home | The Socialist 29 March 2007 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
