IMMIGRATION AGAIN

The issue rumbles on, with a recent Cameron speech in which he tried to please everybody Two aspects seem to me to be ignored. One is the prevailing UK culture of envy – expecting too much and seeing those who have more as exploiters. Despite the existence of many honest work-seekers, there is a suspicion […]

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND TRUTH

The Daily Telegraph has a report about reduced grants for people training to become teachers of Religious Education. It also has a very good leading article about the subject. The article points out that all religions promote a concept of right behaviour and that the influence of this concept extends far beyond the religious professionals […]

ROOTS OF BEHAVIOUR

An article in the Daily Telegraph attributed many of society’s ills to the poor upbringing that some children receive. That is very easy to believe, but almost impossible to remedy. Some of the forces that were influential are no longer effective. Fewer people now believe that good and evil actions here will lead to reward or […]

EDUCATION – GENERAL

I posted recently abour religious education in schools, and about the same time Michael Gove (UK Education Secretary) got media coverage for his latest thoughts about educational reform. The bits the media picked out concerned the length of school terms and the length of the school day. Opinions are bound to be divided on those […]

TEACHING RELIGION?

I found a post recently about religion in schools. I think it was for or against a particular religion. My belief is that everybody should be made aware of the significance of religion as a general concept – both at home and at school. Children quickly become aware that electricity is dangerous and that crossing the […]

THE BENEFITS REFORMS – UK

The different views about “reform” of the benefit system are confusing. There is no certainty about the impact and the arguments seem to reflect in-built beliefs. The churches are all about charity and love, so most condemn the changes. And almost everybody is against harming those who are in real need. On the other side, people with […]

EDUCATION AND EXPECTATION

Present concerns about the state of the UK and it’s competitiveness lead one to worry about eductation. We have a minister who obviously wants to improve it but we don’t see much dialogue about why children and young people should want to learn. In underdeveloped countries people are desperate to go to school. Why? Because […]