Responsibility for the operation of public schools needs to be separated from the policymaking and regulatory functions and put into a separate authority.
Schools are deliberately disregarding disability standards through rejecting school places, being reluctant to make teaching adjustments and having poor attitudes towards disability.
Mixed messages from the Coalition government around schools policy are not only confusing, but also raise deeper questions about whether they have a firm position on schooling at all.
Our education system fails to amplify students’ creativity and interest in learning. To continue along the current path is increasingly unscientific, unjustifiable and plain dull.
The government assumes that with the right education and training, a young person will be able to get work. But this is not the case, especially for young people who live in rural and regional areas.
The Private Finance Initiative was meant to be the solution to 21st century public buildings. Edinburgh’s school problems are far from unique, however.
We need a major revamp of teacher education from the inside out that changes the model to provide all children with the education that is right for them.