From Canon Michael Thompson
Sir, - In a very persuasive letter (
9 August), the Revd Brian Williams calls on our Bishops to
campaign for a new Education Act with the objective of readjusting
the balances of responsibility in the field of education. Mr
Williams clearly writes from an experienced teacher's perspective,
and I would not question his analysis of the problems of teacher
accountability. It is to be hoped that his appeal to the Bishops
does not pass before "blind eyes".
I do, however, wonder whether Mr William's conclusion, that
another Education Act is needed, is altogether correct. After 33
years' involvement in school governance there is a bit of me that
cries: "Please, not another Education Act." That apart, I am
concerned that when we look at the state of our schools in the
slightly broader context, we find ourselves constantly trying to
deal with the unintended consequences of well-intended
policies.
The work of a school governor often seems to be that of
grappling with the fallout from the Minister's latest bright idea.
As I ponder that point, I find myself wondering how far the same
dynamic may be operating across a whole range of departments where
contemporary Ministers of the Crown succumb to the temptation to
micro-manage or, to put it more bluntly, meddle in matters about
which others have more to offer.
I recently re-read an old paperback about post-war Britain which
recounted a stormy meeting between the late Aneurin Bevan and
doctors' representatives just before the inception of the NHS. The
author attributed to Bevan a remark along the lines of: "Gentlemen,
I want to assure you that there is no question of me, or any other
member of the Government, telling you how to do your jobs."
When I pass my leisure time reading railway magazines, I am
constantly amazed at how much a supposedly privatised railway
network is subject to government control in such detailed
commercial matters as choice of routes on which to upgrade
rolling-stock.
Some exploration of how we have drifted from the Bevan position
of 65 years ago to a willingness on the part of ministers of all
the main parties to tell people how to do their jobs is, it seems
to me, a prerequisite of any campaign along the lines that Mr
Williams advocates.
MICHAEL THOMPSON
Humshaugh Vicarage, Hexham
Northumberland NE46 4AA