Teachers to 'Work to Rule'-will this be an improvement?

[Gordon Booth]

The teachers are threatening to work to rule from September 26th.
Does this mean they will now teach the children to read, write and do maths properly before they're 18 or will they carry on leaving it to employers and universities?
Or is teaching the three r's properly not part of their job and therefore not covered by the rules?
Also with 73% not voting at all and only 22% voting for action how can they say they have a credible mandate?

[egg&chips]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

.....Also with 73% not voting at all and only 22% voting for action how can they say they have a credible mandate?

In exactly the same way that the current disgraceful Tory government steer the country's ship of state despite having won just over a fifth of the nation's potential votes.

[Gordon Booth]

Originally Posted by egg&chips

In exactly the same way that the current disgraceful Tory government steer the country's ship of state despite having won just over a fifth of the nation's potential votes.

I know the Lib/Dems are a very forgettable party but have you forgotten they are part of this government? Anyway, the government hasn't gone on strike yet( although perhaps things would improve if they did).
Your answers to my first two questions?

[Mancie]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

I know the Lib/Dems are a very forgettable party but have you forgotten they are part of this government? Anyway, the government hasn't gone on strike yet( although perhaps things would improve if they did).
Your answers to my first two questions?

This government may not have gone on strike but from day one they have definitley been on a tory "work to rule" ..this mob are the laziest bunch of school kids to ever take control of this nation..first day in big form all the lessons were cuts cuts and cuts.. nowt else on the agenda!

[Mancie]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

The teachers are threatening to work to rule from September 26th.
Does this mean they will now teach the children to read, write and do maths properly before they're 18 or will they carry on leaving it to employers and universities?
Or is teaching the three r's properly not part of their job and therefore not covered by the rules?
Also with 73% not voting at all and only 22% voting for action how can they say they have a credible mandate?

Are you a teacher?.. I ask because you come across as having some insight into the level of education of school leavers.

[egg&chips]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

.....Your answers to my first two questions?

Well,as for teaching them to read, write and do maths properly, it kind of depends on what the flavour of the month is and whose educational experiences have equipped them to be the sole purveyor of wisdom re how to educate. Goalposts move more often than my bowels, and no matter how well the kids do, (see A level trends, Key Stage 2 SAT results improvement etc.) the poor bloody infantry get it in the neck from most sides.
What working to rule might mean is a lot more parents taking responsibility for their own kids for a while rather than using schools as cheap child minding services. (latest a child was left at my school was over 2 hours after school closed but many, many kids left on a daily basis for between 40 and 60 mins - just part of life's rich tapestry working in inner city/ generally deprived area schools).
Not sure if universities do much on basic literacy and numeracy, although I agree that employers do have to shore up spelling and numeracy skills for some employees. I've done it myself in a managerial capacity a few times in various jobs I've had, it's what I got paid the extra bucks for. Mainly the folk who needed the help were fairly regretful about having messed around so much at school when younger. As Stan Laurel used to say, "you can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead"

[Mancie]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

The teachers are threatening to work to rule from September 26th.
Does this mean they will now teach the children to read, write and do maths properly before they're 18 or will they carry on leaving it to employers and universities?
Or is teaching the three r's properly not part of their job and therefore not covered by the rules?
Also with 73% not voting at all and only 22% voting for action how can they say they have a credible mandate?

I'm having a pop at you Gordon because you are suggesting a large proportion of kids leave school without being able to read or write and this is the fault of teachers.. I left school in the 70's with no qualifications but had the basics.. I know of a few that left in my year that had difficulties in reading and writing despite the teaching standards...but I'd bet the percentage is no higher these days.

Just another question.. do you think the 25% cut in education funding annouced by this government (amid cheers from the tory back benches) will inprove the present situation?