Comments on: Classroom Failure

By: Jean Forster

Jean Forster — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:25:42 +0000

Dear Boris
If the banks would exercise that essential i.e. PRUDENCE they would protect themselves and us, the savers, from this madness’Give me what I want and NOW’. Sometimes the answer has to be ‘NO’. Banks used to do that for these people who can’t do maths.
Yours sincerely Jean Forster

Rate This: 0 0

By: Susan Wade Weeks

Susan Wade Weeks — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:52:42 +0000

The quality of teachers and teaching is at the root of the problem. I know several highly qualified, experienced mature would-be returning teachers (of Maths, Modern Languages, Science and English)who have been turned away from the state system on the grounds that their experience lay solely in the private sector.

Red tape and ideology is strangling the teaching profession and turning it into the refuge of the second salary earner, usually female, which in turn exacerbates the frustration experienced in the classroom by fatherless boys who cannot find a decent male role model. This is made even worse by the current state of school sport. No teams, no matches. Is it surprising that gangs are one of the few places boys can find approval and belonging and attention from older boys they admire?
There are many brilliant organisations run by volunteers. But they have limited funds. And they can’t reach everybody. Most children are in school for hours and hours a day. Teachers have just got to be better, paid far far more – on a level with GPs – and then the profession will attract and keep the best.

Rate This: 0 0

By: gillian-clarke

gillian-clarke — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:46:53 +0000

pauld, from last thread: “Asdf, I understand that the site is slow because the webmaster is tied up with a major revamp.”

Right, and where do you get this inside information from? What is your relationship with the editor / this site pauld? Your posts seem to go up mighty quick after you send them.

I -do- expect to see this post go up.

Rate This: 0 0

By: redandwhitestripes

redandwhitestripes — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:55:34 +0000

Personally, I support the re-introduction of grammar schools. I do agree Maths is crucial, it is the gateway to logical thinking.
http://farleftwatch.wordpress.com

Rate This: 0 0

By: raincoaster

raincoaster — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:01:04 +0000

@ asdf, you’re right. This comment moderation is turning debate into a bizarre form of tableaux vivant. It’s killing the conversation.

Rate This: 0 0

By: PaulD

PaulD — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:13:27 +0000

Buses are not private transport. They are called public transport and therefore don’t even enter into this taxing debate. (gillian-clarke)

What I asked was: “Are you saying high-fronted vehicles should be more heavily taxed because they are more likely to injure a pedestrian?” You have not answered the question, Gillian.

Asdf, I understand that the site is slow because the webmaster is tied up with a major revamp. You were saying…?

Rate This: 0 0

By: asdf

asdf — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:24:04 +0000

what happened to my follow-up to pauld about buses / congestion charge?

If you’re too slow to post stuff, this site will wither.

Rate This: 0 0

By: Captain Badger

Captain Badger — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:12:50 +0000

So, Bozzer, in light of McBroon’s recent act of newly legalised treason, can your crew firmly commit to a referendum so the people, us lot who pay your wages, can tell you exactly what our relationship with the EU should be?

Rate This: 0 0

By: raincoaster

raincoaster — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:43:27 +0000

Let’s admit it: the real reason these people are getting in over their heads is twofold: 1) they think if they don’t buy now at any price they’ll be rendered homeless by spiraling rents, and 2) they don’t actually KNOW anyone with a mortgage, nor were they raised with one.

I bet you, Boris, can’t do the math, even without compounding, without looking it up.

Familiarity with managing a mortgage is brought about by proximity and personal acquaintance. The best way to ensure that people know what they’re getting into with a mortgage is to have mixed housing, not gated communities segregated by class, so that people can actually SEE what paying a mortgage entails. Housing initiatives that have taken this approach have 80% fewer defaults; I aught to know, as I helped design one.

Rate This: 0 0

By: Mc

Mc — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:15:02 +0000

News about housing mortgages are dangerously conveying negative message ; THIS IS POSITIVE FEEDBACK THAT EXACERBATES THE SITUATUION OF THE LOST TRUST! Debt need not to be demonized; it is not considered negatively in economic studies, and those who are involved in business know how valuable loans are. for others it can indeed boost the economy, increase savings, giving incentives for driving ambitious and pre-planned life style and strengthen further stability.

Rate This: 0 0