We are all responsible for education

Mar 11 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

AMONG the many issues to be debated in the General Election, education will feature large.

And so it should, because the UK’s productivity per worker remains below that of most other G7 countries, even below that of the laid back French and Italians. A major reason for this is that so many of our overseas competitors work smarter, not harder, because they are better educated than we are.

Yet, there has probably never been a greater sense of partnership and interdependence between education and business. We have excellent business schools working hand-in-hand with businesses.

In partnership with them, colleges of further education have taken over the training of entire companies in everything from NVQs through apprenticeships to foundation degrees.

But business-led criticism of the education system seems centred on the school leavers turned out, with a widespread belief that they lack key employability skills. Employers complain that they have to bring new employers up to the required standards in basics such as the three Rs and in a disciplined attitude to work.

This has led to a growing feeling that education is too important to be left to schools. This is no reflection on the schools, but a recognition that it is the responsibility of the whole community.

Here in the North East in particular there is a problem with the popular attitude to education, which is rooted in our history.

Ever since education became universal and compulsory, the work force in this region was engaged in the heavy industries: man’s work, which, while demanding great skills, did not use skills acquired at school. I believe this led to a widespread indifference - even hostility - to schooling.

This, combined with the decline of those same heavy industries and the resultant long term structural unemployment in certain areas, has created a debilitating lack of aspiration.

This is an issue which many far-sighted business leaders in the North East have been fighting hard to address, but it needs an effort on everybody’s part.

So, even though, over the coming weeks the politicians will debate fiercely what will doubtless be referred to as ‘education, education, education’, we should remember, we all have a responsibility that continues long after we have placed our crosses on our ballot papers.

Peter Jackson is a freelance journalist and former Journal business editor p.jackson77@btinternet.com