education
Westminster University occupied in the fight against cuts
Over 200 staff and students at the University of Westminster have protested, stormed the board of governors meeting and are currently in occupation, vice-chancellors office, in regard to recently proposed tutoring and administrative job cuts.
Letters
Dear PW,
The Politics of Biological Determinism
Stephen Jay Gould tackles the notion that existing social hierarchies reflect innate abilities in his essay on the heritability of intelligence.
Rethinking Schools (Vol.14, No. 2 - Winter 1999)
Intro
[i]What argument against social change could be more effective than the claim that established orders exist as an accurate reflection of innate intellectual capacities?
Teaching union ballots over SATs, again
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has voted again in favour of scrapping the SATs test at primary-level.
The NUT last week reported the results of an indicative ballot over the controversial SATs test at primary level. 95% indicated that they'd like to see SATs scrapped while 76% are prepared to take boycott action against the tests. The indicative ballot had a 25% which the NUT feels "is very high for such a test of opinion".
Defending education in 2009: London Anarchist Bookfair report
A brief report from the Leveller issue 3 about the 'Defending Education' meeting hosted by the Education Workers' Network at the 2009 London Anarchist Bookfair.
As part of the series of discussions during this years London Anarchist Bookfair, one discussion centred around issues facing workers in the education sector, particularly in light of the recession, and cuts being made left, right and centre.
The Basic Alternative Education of a Chinese Punk
Translation of an autobiographical essay by Tang Shui'en, mainland Chinese anarchist musician and activist, recounting his path from childhood in 1980s rural China to participation in Wuhan's pioneering punk scene since the late 1990s, interaction with overseas anarchists and other radicals, and experimentation with independent media and an autonomous youth center. Written in early 2009 for a forum on social space among the generation of Chinese mainlanders born in the 1980s, organized by the Shao Foundation. Original Chinese text here.
For those who are of the common masses, how many of us can say we are conscious of the forces of domination that push us to society’s margins? Apart from a small minority, most people—even if at every moment they feel discomfort—are unable to determine the roots of this pain. The word “marginal” itself is so abstract that it can only serve as a code of recondite academia and mass media.
Higher education: It's become our crisis
Already faced with cuts before the crisis, education now looks to be one of the sectors hardest hit, and not merely financially. Kirsten Forkert looks at the current conflict in higher education and the difficulties faced by those trying to protect it
We need to consider UK higher education in the context of a situation where neoliberalism, in some ways, has been destabilised economically but remains hegemonic on an ideological level.
London Education Workers' Group - a brief introduction
A brief working-summary of what the newly formed London Education Workers' Group is.
The London Education Workers Group was established so that education workers throughout London can come together to oppose the coming assault on education. We reject the division of workers into separate unions and recognise that politicians, political parties, and union bureaucrats have nothing to offer us. Instead, direct action must be our weapon.
Solidarity with Tower Hamlets ESOL workers leaflet
A solidarity leaflet for September 12th 2009 rally in support of striking Tower Hamlets College workers.
Solidarity with Tower Hamlets ESOL workers!
Lewisham Bridge School Heritage listing upheld
Parents occupying Lewisham Bridge Primary School in south-east London are a step closer to keeping the school open after the English Heritage Grade 2 status of the school was upheld.
Supporters and parents of children have been encouraged by the news that Lewisham Bridge Primary School's status as a Grade 2 English Heritage site has been upheld. This means that the school cannot be knocked down and replaced, as had been intended.
