The 'PIRIS' tests which cover 41 assorted countries revealed, as notedrecently in this column, a worrying trend towards mediocrity in UKprimary education. What is it that has enabled children in some of theunderdeveloped nations to grasp the rudiments of language andmathematics so successfully? Is it because of new teaching methods whichhave somehow passed us by? Has it been that these countries, many ofwhich are abjectly poor, have been able to throw more money into primaryeducation than us? I suspect not.
One of my employees told me a disturbing story last week. Originallyfrom Mauritius, she is a single mother of a boy nearly seven, who hasattended nurseries and a primary school in London. I recently asked herhow he was settling in, knowing that he had been subjected to bullyingduring his first few months at school. She told me she had decided tosend him back to Mauritius, so he could attend school there.
I was incredulous. Why would someone from a poor country give up freeeducation in one of the most advanced countries in the world? But thismother made it quite clear that she thought their primary education wasmuch better, and that the dangers children faced were minimal bycomparison with London today.
She explained that primary education back home was very traditional.Children have their own desk, they listen with respect to theirteachers, and recognise that they have to behave. They also havehomework most days. At the age of 11 everyone is expected to read andwrite properly, and have basic skills in maths.
How different it is today in England, where university admissions tutorscomplain that these basic educational achievements are missing fromcandidates at 17 or 18.
Why, in the 21st century, is our education policy still so stronglydelivered against a 'political agenda', rather than a purely educationalone? What this mother's story seems to show is that basic teachingmethods, and sensible parenting values, are all that is needed toproduce solid primary education - not political dogma or change forchange's sake.
Alan Bentley is chairman of the Childcare Corporation.