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From The Socialist newspaper, 9 September 2009
Failing academies
IN A desperate move to revive Labour's failing private academies scheme, education secretary Ed Balls has announced that the government is dropping the £2 million sponsorship criteria.
Previously, academy schools were expected to get their private sponsors, ie rich business figures, corporations, religious charities, even other private schools, to 'invest' £2 million to finance the building of a new school while the government stumped up another £25 million or so. In return, the sponsor can choose most of the school's governing body and also control its 'ethos' .
Academy schools seem to be 'failing' at as high or higher rate than ordinary secondary schools they are meant to replace.
Academy sponsorship is an even worse idea now during the recession. In June, the socialist reported that 60 of the 85 privately sponsored academy schools that were financed under the original academies deal had not received the funds expected from their private sponsors.
New Labour's privatisation schemes in education or other public services have been a disaster for workers and the public alike. We need a new workers' party that says no to academies and fights for a well-financed, publicly run and financed education system.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
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In The Socialist 9 September 2009:
One million unemployed young people: 'We demand real jobs!'
Youth unemployment: Future jobs or fake schemes?
War and occupation
Trades Union Congress
TUC conference: Workers willing to fight - in spite of leadership
Socialist Party workplace news and analysis
Workers' action can stop NHS cuts
PCS members prepare to fight cuts and privatisation
Unite election: United Left hustings
Witch-hunted Unison member given extra charge
Inaugural meeting to establish a North Wales branch of the National Shop Stewards Network
Socialist Party trade unionists meeting
Postal workers strike
Postal workers national ballot: Vote 'yes' for strike action
Protesting against scabbing managers
RMT action
RMT action: Bus workers strike for pay rise
Vestas workers: Stop the blades
RMT wins no compulsory redundancy position but future battles loom
Marxist analysis: history
Marxists and the Second World War
International socialist news and analysis
Return of al-Magrahi to Libya ignites a political storm
Northern Ireland: Councillor joins Socialist Party
Education
Socialist Party review
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