local management of schools, education for industry - are now enshrined in and awarded socialist credentials They do not deserve them. As the Socialist Teachers' Alliance's Charter Jor Policy Review, national curriculum, Education says: Labour's the
- 60-year- absence, Issues control, of democracy must the socialist agenda" ...after a long of education content and curriculum and be put back on Tories, and modified by Labour. So long as activity remains limited to trade union and "anti-cuts" activity it of the Tory achievement. That's sence, issues of cducation content and control, of curriculum and tempt to do this. Further efforts are currently being made by a working who are committed to developing tives to acquiesence in much of the Ken Jones This final, difficult point is vital programme to that established by the will not challenge important aspects democtacy must be put back on the The STA's Charter is a first at- group of the Socialist Movement. They deserve wide attention, from all popular, detailed, convincing altera- why, after a long - 60-ycar - ab Fighting the Education Thatcher achievement. educational issues, socialist agenda. realist distaste for trade unionism, and its refusal to make any promises portunity. In some cases it will be or reinforced by the Tories - the governing bodies, the annual parents" Nor will it be able to encourage radi- cal curriculum initiative, based on a One of the most important is to It is aiso necessary lo estublish the possible to use the institutions set up meetings - to organise activity against cuts, and to take up wider teacher shortage, But with its new about conditions of scrvice, it will not be able to win the active support of teachers and other school workers. dialogue with those who use educa- Socialists have other priorities rebuild effective trade unionism. But trade unionism alone is not enough. munities the ahsence of which al- lowed the Tories much of their op links between schools Graeme Cookson riculum. Al the same time, schools should aim to develop in all students tem endorsed by Labour amount to a tion. I offers parents a mle in sions of teaching and leaming. It is accompanied by measures which reduce the job security and trade union strength of those who wodk in With its present policies, Labour is well placed to take advantage of some major weaknesses in the Tory programme: on issues of training. resources, nursery education and "The curriculum should be atten tive to the real cultures of the people who live in Britain. It should not transmit the versions of the national culture promoted by the dominant class • The culture which students bring to school with them should NUE patronised, hut should be at the centre of many aspects of the cur- vantages thai the dominant group has These are not the values of the National Curriculum. Nor does the "Local Management of Schools" sys- programme for democracy in educa- managing resources, not in discus- the conceptual and linguistic ad disregarded, long enjoyed." schools. neither
Page 15 one time guru of the "New Right", resigned as Secretary of State for Education and the dispute, unfolding in the shadow of the miners' strike. saw the increased polticisation of teachers, many of whom had imdi- The defeat of the pay campaign was followed by the imposition of a Duties which had for a long time con- tionally voted Conservative at elec- employment. stituted "professional good will