Bye-bye Mr Blair - Page 5

Margaret Pilkington · 19-05-2007, 17:34

I was interviewing 16 year olds......and Ok part of their education would have been under tory lead government policies, I don't blame Blair for their lack of educational standards........all I am saying is that he didn't deliver on a lot of his promises....instead he relied on statistics and targets that were meaningless. This was done to bamboozle the electorate.
Maybe the low numbers going to uni in the sixties was because the uni's were far more selective about who they took. In those days if you had a degree you were somebody...mainly because a degree in those days, actually meant something. And today higher education is for those who are well to do, and can pay for tuition fees......well, unless of course you want to saddle yourself with a huge debt before you even start work. Is this not a second class education (of sorts)? I do not have any political affiliations, and I have to say that I am very suspicious of all the political spin......especially the latest debacle which protects MP's from having to divulge their expenses...... the Freedom of Information act is a case of 'do as I say...not as I do' and that cannot be good or healthy.

I know all about the 11 plus system too. I was one of the ones who failed my 11 plus. It has been proved since, that the 11 plus was flawed and was biased towards the children of professional people - though yes, a small number of gifted children from non-professional families did pass.

In my case it wasn't a catastrophe...in fact quite the reverse, it made me all the more determined to make something of my life.

Margaret Pilkington · 19-05-2007, 17:37

Oh and Garinda, I wouldn't take anything you said as rude...not even if you called me an 'Old baggage'...I would take it as a term of endearment.

yerself · 19-05-2007, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretPilkington

and their handwriting and spelling was abysmal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretPilkington

part of their education would have been under tory lead government

Oh dear Margaret !

led

past simple and past participle of lead

Margaret Pilkington · 19-05-2007, 18:44

Sorry...it was a typo. But good on you for spotting it.

Margaret Pilkington · 19-05-2007, 18:45

My brain sometimes goes faster than my fingers. And being human I do make mistakes.

Ianto.W. · 20-05-2007, 01:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

My brain sometimes goes faster than my fingers. And being human I do make mistakes.

I think there are only two of us on here margaret, your description of the Tories was spot on 'lead from the head down'

and the neck up.

Margaret Pilkington · 20-05-2007, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by yerself

Oh dear Margaret !

led

past simple and past participle of lead

And if you thought it was a spelling error, why give me a lesson in grammar?

yerself · 20-05-2007, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretPilkington

And if you thought it was a spelling error, why give me a lesson in grammar?

I didn't. That was an added bonus, courtesy of the Oxford Dictionary.

yerself · 20-05-2007, 12:13

Margaret, could you have a word with the OF brigade. Tell them it's could have, would have, should have; not OF.

Margaret Pilkington · 20-05-2007, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by yerself

Margaret, could you have a word with the OF brigade. Tell them it's could have, would have, should have; not OF.

What makes you think I have any influence over the posters on this forum?

And doesn't that lead you to believe that what I was saying about educational standards is correct?

yerself · 20-05-2007, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

And doesn't that lead you to believe that what I was saying about educational standards is correct?

I know it's correct.

garinda · 20-05-2007, 14:15

Regarding education under Blair, as opposed to the Conservatives.

It was whilst Minister for Education in Heath's government, that Mrs Thatcher has the honour of being the person who closed the most grammar schools, and who introduced the most comprehensive schools.

'While Margaret Thatcher was education secretary from 1970-74, the number of children in comprehensives exceeded those in selective schools for the first time.'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1813890.ece

'Margaret Thatcher to her shame has the distinction of closing more grammar schools than anyone else.'

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle1813865.ece